tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131600517595523642024-03-06T16:35:05.930+00:00The Queen of Teen FictionFor books that rule the land.KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.comBlogger471125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-68094303207561199792024-02-25T15:40:00.000+00:002024-03-06T16:34:34.606+00:00REVIEW: A Grim and Sunken Vow by Ashley Shuttleworth<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlR-8nbBZrdZOy3OPOxllS8MDtz0A27kS4aWoPZfyYoh5HbYvWnlGvmWjB4cx749nfTT9c3XqR08W-nler8FImZ-Zj2BG-qRsUok5n1eOUYGlGK3tv3O9rEhB36CQks1cxvQId-e748G1Jn3rPoCUwtt0VZcsZ-ng_KivWvzXG2vfjsxDIg_glQ7xOgE8/s2113/101138924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2113" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlR-8nbBZrdZOy3OPOxllS8MDtz0A27kS4aWoPZfyYoh5HbYvWnlGvmWjB4cx749nfTT9c3XqR08W-nler8FImZ-Zj2BG-qRsUok5n1eOUYGlGK3tv3O9rEhB36CQks1cxvQId-e748G1Jn3rPoCUwtt0VZcsZ-ng_KivWvzXG2vfjsxDIg_glQ7xOgE8/s320/101138924.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Pages:</b> 640<div><b>Format: </b>Hardback</div><div><b>Publisher:</b> Margaret K. McElderry</div><div><b>Genre: </b>Fantasy</div><div><b>Release Date: </b>November 28th 2023</div><div><br /></div><div><div><blockquote>The die is cast.<br /><br />
The era of Spring is over.<br /><br />
Riadne’s bloody coup on the Summer Solstice changed Arlo’s life forever. In one fell swoop and a fool’s bargain, she lost both her family and free will to the newly crowned High Queen. Now, with Arlo forced to use her powers as Luck’s Hollow Star to help summon the rest of the seven deadly sins, Riadne stands closer than ever to achieving her dark goals.<br /><br />
And Arlo isn’t the only one trapped in a frightening new role. Her ex-Fury girlfriend, Nausicaä, is determined to do whatever it takes to stay by Arlo’s side, even if that means becoming Riadne’s pet assassin. Aurelian and Vehan, torn apart, struggle to survive on their own.<br /><br />
Meanwhile, Celadon has been revealed as Riadne’s illegitimate son—and heir to both Spring and Summer, the ultimate offense in the faerie world. But the High Prince has secret plans of his own, plans made all the more complicated when the beautiful and deadly immortal Hunter Lethe takes an interest in him…<br /><br />
Five budding legacies will need more than luck if they hope to stand a chance against the greatest adversary the Courts have faced. For nothing’s more dangerous than a faerie tale… except the one who tells it, and maybe what they’re going to need is no longer that story’s hero but its villain.
</blockquote></div><div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/s316/The%20Plot.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/w200-h79/The%20Plot.png" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I,,,, don’t even know where to start. This book??? Was written for ME. I’ve been in love with this series since I first got my hands on <b>A Dark and Hollow Star</b>, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating this latest instalment. Especially because it’s more focused on<b> two of my favourite characters</b>. A certain two people on the cover. </div><div><br /></div><div>And oh boy, was I treated after my wait. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUabel5JRVzqvVEBDD0cR5564zq3sClBxnZ-IWklEIPzGHhuXJbT8J4TWU4vu6rpUjlsMSeShyy7hcBeNyZYjm4nZKIsLjHE_55AwUoQMLcCjKJVsFXYvwLMRTvrfjla1qwYTkDPCL_m8c2DrWtGzv6ZHI8B_lSVZA_oNHuj5ttlPr6u1wHsCwz-ClqmU/s3711/IMG_5436.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="3711" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUabel5JRVzqvVEBDD0cR5564zq3sClBxnZ-IWklEIPzGHhuXJbT8J4TWU4vu6rpUjlsMSeShyy7hcBeNyZYjm4nZKIsLjHE_55AwUoQMLcCjKJVsFXYvwLMRTvrfjla1qwYTkDPCL_m8c2DrWtGzv6ZHI8B_lSVZA_oNHuj5ttlPr6u1wHsCwz-ClqmU/w640-h426/IMG_5436.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><b>
A Grim and Sunken Vow</b> picks up immediately after the harrowing events at the end of <b>A Cruel and Fated Light</b>, throwing us right back in the middle of all the drama. There is a time skip after a few chapters, which I LOVED because it had me stressed and curious at the same time to see what had changed. <br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s531/The%20Characters.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s320/The%20Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>How do I even begin to describe the love I have for these characters? I mean, <b>Arlo is a fellow pansexual</b>, so naturally I would die for her. Nausicäa is <b>so</b> my type it’s painful. Vehan and Aurelian have that oh-so-special '<b>we’ve been secretly in love with each other forever and now we’re figuring out how to be more than best friends'</b> thing going on. Which is a GOD TIER trope, btw. And then,,, there’s Celadon and Lethe. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiWhwxflUj9o8ejUq0orpLTvd7qu426x6JrRf5wxWtFX4UbUMKYMEAa28QwKMxEW1JglCKYG15uAf5E1CerbrcPFLTJtsDocK6Bc_7u87K2PNzJFW6hzzr-0Voc2g5Cx2tRTCRPt-bWtKWbzO3ASPCOWjkKA73vhXcfV5QJRtlajfvNGuqAFyQJMlMJk/s1564/3Qu1lAbCvh9BnrE_8ES04VDlPiTjGV6MtwYf0j-Ju1Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiWhwxflUj9o8ejUq0orpLTvd7qu426x6JrRf5wxWtFX4UbUMKYMEAa28QwKMxEW1JglCKYG15uAf5E1CerbrcPFLTJtsDocK6Bc_7u87K2PNzJFW6hzzr-0Voc2g5Cx2tRTCRPt-bWtKWbzO3ASPCOWjkKA73vhXcfV5QJRtlajfvNGuqAFyQJMlMJk/s320/3Qu1lAbCvh9BnrE_8ES04VDlPiTjGV6MtwYf0j-Ju1Y.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>
As a Lethe enjoyer from the very start of this series, I feel SO validated right now. You know how much I’m an absolute sucker for a villain who actually might be a big softie and only has their awfully traumatic past to blame for the way they are. Getting to discover more of his backstory was such a long-awaited treat. Even though <b>it ripped my heart into tiny pieces</b>, I adored every damn second of it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbIiEntf7X0ShYx_ItUGhupYSClJ-DdHAEkZuV5uyDiuQnlzWyxsUaYG9M8z22GlrUbUvG5cTylBbmxtOleMO-feYWX6UkP8r3WtnkuXewl4pdF1EdfF8MTMrT6Cy8U1waNXLYW165kzonIvAXs1MXZCYX2jB1Qp1uuG4T3E-cDdyu_3r0bboVyDIIeU/s3814/IMG_5435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="3814" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbIiEntf7X0ShYx_ItUGhupYSClJ-DdHAEkZuV5uyDiuQnlzWyxsUaYG9M8z22GlrUbUvG5cTylBbmxtOleMO-feYWX6UkP8r3WtnkuXewl4pdF1EdfF8MTMrT6Cy8U1waNXLYW165kzonIvAXs1MXZCYX2jB1Qp1uuG4T3E-cDdyu_3r0bboVyDIIeU/w640-h426/IMG_5435.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The slow-burn romance that builds between him and Celadon literally had me climbing the WALLS. I love them so much and I don’t know how I’m going to cope without them. HOW CAN ANY OTHER SHIP COMPARE? </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s571/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s320/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Found family at it’s finest. </b> I say <i>found</i> but some of them are actually related. Either way, the bond between these characters is *chef’s kiss*. Even though some of them get torn apart through the course of this story, there’s very little angst between them. They talk things THROUGH. Which is something we all need to be reading more of in books, actually. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>NO LOVE TRIANGLE!!! </b>God, it’s so refreshing to read a YA fantasy series that doesn’t have a love triangle. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The Moon. </b>That's all I need to say. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bsZ8rlQqe3qKB0OQD5QAExmlG0bgSFaGT7Vq5cf2AtLGVwesdX2gZaTv3GGIOGATP-bFv_HTUwURrrzjjT_154DpZfTgPCF-9G1SojFWWB9czFw1UY_RjE16sfmckacK_883taTYNacMif5EVHlO2eZsgk8pfnV1iZULNR02C7TmBBB7rhjk3bDyUVU/s3710/IMG_5434.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="3710" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bsZ8rlQqe3qKB0OQD5QAExmlG0bgSFaGT7Vq5cf2AtLGVwesdX2gZaTv3GGIOGATP-bFv_HTUwURrrzjjT_154DpZfTgPCF-9G1SojFWWB9czFw1UY_RjE16sfmckacK_883taTYNacMif5EVHlO2eZsgk8pfnV1iZULNR02C7TmBBB7rhjk3bDyUVU/w640-h426/IMG_5434.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s577/final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="577" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s320/final.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So, yeah, too many thoughts for a simple little blog post. I will be thinking about these characters every single day until we get the final book. I am NOT okay after that ending. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sidenote before I wrap things up: for anyone who isn’t aware, <b>the UK publisher dropped this series after the second book</b>, meaning we have to ship our physical copies in from overseas. I just want to say how <b>utterly disappointed </b>I am in the publisher for not seeing this series through to it’s end. It has so much important representation weaved in amongst the plot, and it’s made me feel so seen. All I can do is thank Ashley for writing such a beautiful story - I'll finish the series no matter where I have to ship it from.</div><div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s534/5%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s320/5%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div><p></p>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-1113361184970241822024-02-19T14:29:00.000+00:002024-02-19T14:29:02.200+00:00Meeting Alice Oseman!If you know even the slightest thing about me, you’ll know that<b> I absolutely adore Alice Oseman</b>. I’ve been a fan of their stories for so long now, they’re practically part of me. There hasn’t been a single other author who has made me feel as seen as Alice has. There’s just so many aspects of their books and characters that <b>I relate to on a personal level</b>. <div><br /></div><div>So when I found out they were going to be doing <b>a book signing at my favourite bookshop</b>, <a href="https://www.queerlit.co.uk/">Queer Lit</a>, I got a ticket immediately. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IrCKVLr3uhKssSGRWGdusNythfhBwqiVRAZFBKSnoD5EQVpSXy7eXR4KQuHmAoDJQL-xEI4OtUKXQ9OI3SDGuflxrMxpvCN2uXXYVOeGifQVecfpcbcot29C5eXDmxsShNaCAriSoSuXuCldp13Pt59fmylu8cdteO5o-NogaCNYgI0o5xPFMhiy7bU/s3717/IMG_5069.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="3717" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IrCKVLr3uhKssSGRWGdusNythfhBwqiVRAZFBKSnoD5EQVpSXy7eXR4KQuHmAoDJQL-xEI4OtUKXQ9OI3SDGuflxrMxpvCN2uXXYVOeGifQVecfpcbcot29C5eXDmxsShNaCAriSoSuXuCldp13Pt59fmylu8cdteO5o-NogaCNYgI0o5xPFMhiy7bU/w640-h480/IMG_5069.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my copy of heartstopper volume 5 with adorable freebies from the shop</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>As I’ve already established on multiple occasions, <b>I am an anxious mess</b>. I’ve gotten better over the years, and meds have helped enormously, but I’m still way more terrified than the average person when it comes to events and speaking to people – especially people who’s books have quite literally changed my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>But one thing I was <b>determined</b> to do was take the Heartstopper jacket I painted a few years ago and ask them to sign. </div><div><br /></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">i spent most of yesterday painting a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Heartstopper?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Heartstopper</a> jacket! i’m going to be wearing it everywhere for the foreseeable future 💕 <a href="https://t.co/NweHEB3LLv">pic.twitter.com/NweHEB3LLv</a></p>— katie ♛ (@KatieBookQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieBookQueen/status/1420712021805445121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></blockquote><div>My sister and I arrived early as the bookshop is also a café, and they stock some of my favourite tea. So we sat with some drinks for a while before the signing time started. We were also given the opportunity to write out <b>our favourite Heartstopper moments</b> onto a postcard, to potentially be shared on a podcast by <a href="https://www.theproudtrust.org/">The Proud Trust</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwuGz898ioR5SMLlUmeQ8bzNdnSMjD1Am5CO84uW5QEstYlyQwX-490ll9whnB-1RZ8pYN1aKU6JiW8qGU6OJkR3CG5HEiaIpYBGDlkyR_5WMUHFL0qY-aXxONW63Xer7Rlgjx-UGrSmgbLIP-7Z9eUR1wUKFKGe4RkaVNk1FTO9NOL4JXabT7F6i7DQ/s3751/IMG_5075.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2813" data-original-width="3751" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwuGz898ioR5SMLlUmeQ8bzNdnSMjD1Am5CO84uW5QEstYlyQwX-490ll9whnB-1RZ8pYN1aKU6JiW8qGU6OJkR3CG5HEiaIpYBGDlkyR_5WMUHFL0qY-aXxONW63Xer7Rlgjx-UGrSmgbLIP-7Z9eUR1wUKFKGe4RkaVNk1FTO9NOL4JXabT7F6i7DQ/w640-h480/IMG_5075.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the gorgeous pride fan we given after handing in our postcards</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>When the time came for the signing, of course everyone wanted to chat to Alice, so things ended up running behind. Even though I’d arrived early and wasn’t that far back in the queue, they had to start limiting the amount of books people got signed to three instead of the originally planned five. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was completely fine by me because I’d only brought two other books with me – I don’t live locally, and I have a back injury at the moment so I wouldn’t have been able to carry more anyway! Since a copy of Heartstopper Volume 5 was included with our tickets, I decided not to have that signed in order to ask about my jacket instead. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I got to the front of the queue, even though the lovely assistant told me that they were only doing books today, <b>Alice had already seen the jacket at that point and had decided to sign it anyway</b> since I only had two books - I was so unbelievably grateful! </div><div><br /></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">so i took this jacket with me to meet <a href="https://twitter.com/AliceOseman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AliceOseman</a> and they signed it for me 😭 <a href="https://t.co/TOOrWOgSq7">https://t.co/TOOrWOgSq7</a> <a href="https://t.co/oR8l7D3YVT">pic.twitter.com/oR8l7D3YVT</a></p>— katie ♛ (@KatieBookQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieBookQueen/status/1757794933061173341?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gEoTXCX7fkLM6hvkWMKY_F3ujhN58J1NMS4WbueYTAsbMCutKx6culO9LG92GaXzC1Wg3uW0cBBipVztmAkff5sTJSCHdS63toT_apgodUuU5-QVeOpY6sOFIPCXtvF1kM4LXJ6feglV90cKVcCIYFrgTdp2GF6UOvN4xppqN6-XowB2wfhaWM3sCPw/s4032/IMG_5068.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gEoTXCX7fkLM6hvkWMKY_F3ujhN58J1NMS4WbueYTAsbMCutKx6culO9LG92GaXzC1Wg3uW0cBBipVztmAkff5sTJSCHdS63toT_apgodUuU5-QVeOpY6sOFIPCXtvF1kM4LXJ6feglV90cKVcCIYFrgTdp2GF6UOvN4xppqN6-XowB2wfhaWM3sCPw/w640-h480/IMG_5068.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I also got my US hardback edition of my favourite Alice novel signed,<b> I Was Born For This</b>, and my original copy of <b>Solitaire</b>. It’s a bit of a throwback, but I still adore this version. It’s a book that’s been through the wars with me and I’ve annotated it too, so it means a lot. To have it signed makes it even more special!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjzsvuKvjF6FVypEooNgnL2wPajFHVxullQOVnDgErkLiLfxohV9TYcMhD1gUZVt4Ziev1FbMRgMIHHRbC08SVV5lK7T6g8MJGO9Am-FxjO8jmbyGLsV8JBQxMb2XPKIgSHZuaXUt7io2Pqbq3OiqStwameoaZJgSwTgP61QWbHByXxiIhlXkLErl-zg/s3500/IMG_5070.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="3500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjzsvuKvjF6FVypEooNgnL2wPajFHVxullQOVnDgErkLiLfxohV9TYcMhD1gUZVt4Ziev1FbMRgMIHHRbC08SVV5lK7T6g8MJGO9Am-FxjO8jmbyGLsV8JBQxMb2XPKIgSHZuaXUt7io2Pqbq3OiqStwameoaZJgSwTgP61QWbHByXxiIhlXkLErl-zg/w640-h480/IMG_5070.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHmMsjVYPy7-Qd0JLBUhyR6bnsPvs-Klc2OBPSfu9u9BiqMFrpXFlW-CPJBQfH_GTdPOpIr5xGArTFc3ZNs8RG-ieDEqPXG6rv40ER-i9aO7UKJuQhvvZPbnePc7bdQSJNrBdIn4Ch7cegspxl2WWxZNdcrZAhiw36gTRMfanfyluw2fdkHgTT0_XVy0/s4032/IMG_5071.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHmMsjVYPy7-Qd0JLBUhyR6bnsPvs-Klc2OBPSfu9u9BiqMFrpXFlW-CPJBQfH_GTdPOpIr5xGArTFc3ZNs8RG-ieDEqPXG6rv40ER-i9aO7UKJuQhvvZPbnePc7bdQSJNrBdIn4Ch7cegspxl2WWxZNdcrZAhiw36gTRMfanfyluw2fdkHgTT0_XVy0/w640-h480/IMG_5071.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><b>Alice was super lovely</b>, which put my anxious self at ease. The shop was running Heartstopper episodes on the screen behind the signing desk, and my picture with Alice was perfectly timed, don’t you think?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuGiQfa72OQ9aXsU0js9FPw9Mr9dL2zVxHrBYcSlUO1YOvE78qemMiTbRj2JEXFNKsUJA7TkpUjYmPrKg0ZzGvV-8vALwyuGARxkSjvx0_sOkphb_88rXyziwL-qSwjDV5Da7kaNIBGnycKy1Z0EeU1z6ythJl8xgY2WPCDLOGs6trrWEzJi3QJeHV0I/s4000/A0DF547E-BAA1-4CA6-B214-B10BADF8F1DD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuGiQfa72OQ9aXsU0js9FPw9Mr9dL2zVxHrBYcSlUO1YOvE78qemMiTbRj2JEXFNKsUJA7TkpUjYmPrKg0ZzGvV-8vALwyuGARxkSjvx0_sOkphb_88rXyziwL-qSwjDV5Da7kaNIBGnycKy1Z0EeU1z6ythJl8xgY2WPCDLOGs6trrWEzJi3QJeHV0I/w480-h640/A0DF547E-BAA1-4CA6-B214-B10BADF8F1DD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I’m so incredibly grateful to Queer Lit for organising the signing and doing their absolute best, even when things got stressful. I had such an amazing time and I will treasure my books and my jacket!</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Have you ever met a favourite author?</h2><div><br /></div><div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6srdfBA1YwolVE4toW8nRDq5iapSKSyD3SQ9wfQHgtWXksX51wEmr_8M2hAkQBR1bAoYWpay5S0nC9Wsg8GI4vynCH-hRbWiRp4aSD-P-GdwQM1Rbu5KhFALVufRJH25OlbL8CZ1YU-Wn_k7Jk704RQNHjeRQuIV1G4KBz6mgp1wwSuh_9aYif4vgaoE/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6srdfBA1YwolVE4toW8nRDq5iapSKSyD3SQ9wfQHgtWXksX51wEmr_8M2hAkQBR1bAoYWpay5S0nC9Wsg8GI4vynCH-hRbWiRp4aSD-P-GdwQM1Rbu5KhFALVufRJH25OlbL8CZ1YU-Wn_k7Jk704RQNHjeRQuIV1G4KBz6mgp1wwSuh_9aYif4vgaoE/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-66671580298553974262024-02-07T13:00:00.001+00:002024-02-07T13:00:00.286+00:00COVER REVEAL: Cursed Under London by Gabby Hutchinson CrouchHello, fellow bookworms! Today, I have the honour of helping to reveal the book cover for <b>Cursed Under London</b> by <b>Gabby Hutchinson Crouch</b>. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKrKoa02cl_YvXiQAUlbFlvyh__5N7EpJTsQnpdDRNUkES6cdVSuddb6en_9sCJtp0sjZHz3f8PnaqyTwmDrdEeasGpFO5KYthVSDPAElz3OdzjZlINqJ1qZCtxGikcpMY9ClDM46hdtocUg6yaTK9hXzS0DauEyR4fwcgNkCX2wOHHBeT2VCUPdCHqU/s1200/background.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKrKoa02cl_YvXiQAUlbFlvyh__5N7EpJTsQnpdDRNUkES6cdVSuddb6en_9sCJtp0sjZHz3f8PnaqyTwmDrdEeasGpFO5KYthVSDPAElz3OdzjZlINqJ1qZCtxGikcpMY9ClDM46hdtocUg6yaTK9hXzS0DauEyR4fwcgNkCX2wOHHBeT2VCUPdCHqU/w640-h320/background.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>This is the first in an <b>Elizabethan romantasy series</b>, set in a world where certain historical events have unfolded differently from what we know. It sounds exactly like the type of story I’d pick up in a heartbeat. Isn’t the cover just gorgeous? We all know how much I love a pink book. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlMMFrcRJGzzKS26e14NbhuIc1ANSB2mfPTS-xnIC8QbqhyphenhyphenLFuwI0zYGulKcnXGPxZgOnAnb2nt7KlatdCBfyBgBuCBZbeCRQA-ZNs-Tz3dToeQFR6hGO5wUnTWc3vLucFIp-g59T0PErTSAZ0f1u1AUPJpJ5g8ChawFPm-GZ4EpBvRNYcamhXroad_0/s3931/Cursed-Under-London_front_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3931" data-original-width="2445" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlMMFrcRJGzzKS26e14NbhuIc1ANSB2mfPTS-xnIC8QbqhyphenhyphenLFuwI0zYGulKcnXGPxZgOnAnb2nt7KlatdCBfyBgBuCBZbeCRQA-ZNs-Tz3dToeQFR6hGO5wUnTWc3vLucFIp-g59T0PErTSAZ0f1u1AUPJpJ5g8ChawFPm-GZ4EpBvRNYcamhXroad_0/w398-h640/Cursed-Under-London_front_FINAL.jpg" width="398" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>The year is 1599. Fang, a grumpy, heartbroken traveller from the Ming Empire, awakes from death to discover he’s not quite human any more. Nor is he a zombie, vampire, werewolf or any of the other supernatural beings who roam the segregated cities of Upper London and its dragon-ruled underground counterpart, Deep London. </div><div><br /></div><div>He stumbles upon Lazare de Quitte-Beuffe, a people-pleasing popinjay of an actor afflicted with the same strange mysterious curse, which means neither of them can die. Thrown together by immortality, the two strangers set out to reverse the spell, traversing the dangers of Deep London and encountering vampires, ghouls, ogres, poets, púca, magical talking swans and the zombie of Christopher Marlowe, all the while trying to ignore the intense connection between them. </div><div><br /></div><div>As they are drawn further into the shadowy world of Deep London, they unearth a dangerous plot which they appear to be right in the middle of. Needing to reverse the spell and get on with being dead, the worst thing they could do, right now, would be to fall in love…</div></blockquote><div>I am SO excited to read this one. The book is due out on <b>July 4th</b>, so make sure to add it to your TBR! You can also <a href="https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fgabbyhutchinsoncrouch&data=05%7C02%7C%7C0f6e8114ef97408aee7408dc267691dd%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638427538602660815%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HthI2h%2BDHbmicNdZWvupbXiLwUqSGjNcc2k2HtfWxj4%3D&reserved=0">pre-order it here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4JpoWe4cjMCJfRD0ZrHvt1mnmZYvU5pJAOrbw3g3rGyogkA6gI9UWRYbkW-vi343T9BOooP9WI-iKuIklC-tK1gt-a7wv6RYWSEYWEi6IhWOryeZnGGuxcDp_vQiNtOMxZrnEkCYmkmZ57fy9KQOLcePV9Y-9nq_ZXhUZmvSBdXmlJSzvdQPiAS50S0/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4JpoWe4cjMCJfRD0ZrHvt1mnmZYvU5pJAOrbw3g3rGyogkA6gI9UWRYbkW-vi343T9BOooP9WI-iKuIklC-tK1gt-a7wv6RYWSEYWEi6IhWOryeZnGGuxcDp_vQiNtOMxZrnEkCYmkmZ57fy9KQOLcePV9Y-9nq_ZXhUZmvSBdXmlJSzvdQPiAS50S0/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-8738748682116460592024-01-16T15:30:00.003+00:002024-01-16T15:30:48.956+00:00A Bookish Moment in LondonHello my dearest bookworms! Welcome to <b>my first post of 2024</b>! I know it’s a tad late, but the first couple of weeks of the year were spent planning a little trip to London. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4uKR7mxfQ7MsodC88L-VTfXzxIZrK49njrw6ailjjt2oOo8L7lHwoSoX3fhmHdaUKYTTuHX5FoHrMLwKtIwQoVCfk3fZpa2fg3Od6lH-gmYUPnuT4mrlR30VXk2ZEMgItK1h2dN7x1lJ1x9OYOETRGTj0HK36bzjuQWeAtiJ0h5jimfp16B_VX8wQ9Q/s3669/IMG_3503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="3669" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4uKR7mxfQ7MsodC88L-VTfXzxIZrK49njrw6ailjjt2oOo8L7lHwoSoX3fhmHdaUKYTTuHX5FoHrMLwKtIwQoVCfk3fZpa2fg3Od6lH-gmYUPnuT4mrlR30VXk2ZEMgItK1h2dN7x1lJ1x9OYOETRGTj0HK36bzjuQWeAtiJ0h5jimfp16B_VX8wQ9Q/w640-h426/IMG_3503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For Christmas, I got tickets to see <b>She Stoops to Conquer</b> at the adorable <b>Orange Tree Theatre</b> in Richmond. I was super excited because it was my first play (I’ve seen one musical before but it was years ago and I was right at the back). I loved the small and intimate setting of Orange Tree because it helped the play feel more personal and it made for some wholesome audience interaction. I had the absolute best time! </div><div><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">had such a wonderful time visiting <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeTreeThtr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OrangeTreeThtr</a> for the first time this weekend to see She Stoops to Conquer. such an adorable theatre, and freddie fox & tanya reynolds are SO incredible 😌 <a href="https://t.co/7WtdMPVwku">pic.twitter.com/7WtdMPVwku</a></p>— katie (@KatieBookQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieBookQueen/status/1746557218235810045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>Since I was going all the way to London (I live near Liverpool and can’t travel often) I decided to visit some bookshops, naturally. I didn’t have much time because I had to get the train back, but I managed to squeeze in a few stops. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCNF1CJ9Hinfp_c_8_Vwt42Sw6NXIbQ40tRUo7i04fFnsu7QC3aP4A67yF7tzEGyGTTQ2ZRSMDFtf1zrAffV_vrSDJCToqL-Mdb12FDlUFYTcs-PXnZdr5URzY5D-5YYWlWp43nU8TE9h8jkGMSGZLL50CXXQfzkM-8dKkL6bWgRJKtv8a_ErKUs_q8g/s3394/IMG_4078.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3394" data-original-width="2546" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCNF1CJ9Hinfp_c_8_Vwt42Sw6NXIbQ40tRUo7i04fFnsu7QC3aP4A67yF7tzEGyGTTQ2ZRSMDFtf1zrAffV_vrSDJCToqL-Mdb12FDlUFYTcs-PXnZdr5URzY5D-5YYWlWp43nU8TE9h8jkGMSGZLL50CXXQfzkM-8dKkL6bWgRJKtv8a_ErKUs_q8g/w480-h640/IMG_4078.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div>First up was <b>The Alligator’s Mouth</b>, an adorable little place in Richmond that focuses mostly on children’s books but has a section for YA and Adult novels too. It was close to where I was staying so I was thrilled to discover a bookshop nearby. It was SO cute in there. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZcyk5mUBk4LqQJ3ThTzLl3VoNxXJwZdfQcYb1AQpqqgQWtXgQpz0U00G5yYKpToLhLD1Bbj3lpz5IHae11QMSx4y3FUK1HshB-V9Eirif673yCWyUYuB40FZWus7fp4uYyW0YX9hryJla7rzT3BOyUwMsxKvcsxs8ak_0BFwLvudCKCqDL3ZsMcemRo/s4032/IMG_4079.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZcyk5mUBk4LqQJ3ThTzLl3VoNxXJwZdfQcYb1AQpqqgQWtXgQpz0U00G5yYKpToLhLD1Bbj3lpz5IHae11QMSx4y3FUK1HshB-V9Eirif673yCWyUYuB40FZWus7fp4uYyW0YX9hryJla7rzT3BOyUwMsxKvcsxs8ak_0BFwLvudCKCqDL3ZsMcemRo/w480-h640/IMG_4079.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Next up was <b>Foyles</b>! There isn’t a Foyles anywhere near where I live so whenever I get the chance to travel to London, I’m always excited to visit. The <b>flagship store on Charing Cross Road</b> is gorgeous and I had a great time browsing the huge YA/NA shelves. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2vFX_GNLvUXR0vXKKoPd0eM-tm4bdNQxeJKnpja027_TezNrVvdILXZQSIsuQuqeUxT-NjN3PU_VZbX-VhlMNny-njadNGSJ1rn2N82zusBHAUySxUY0-4T_IrdPlDXfEdp98pkfJ7AFA659QwC49VHzlINcz6T6WKnFciVN3s_n8_u_vubvdqEyAKQ/s3445/IMG_4077.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3445" data-original-width="2584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2vFX_GNLvUXR0vXKKoPd0eM-tm4bdNQxeJKnpja027_TezNrVvdILXZQSIsuQuqeUxT-NjN3PU_VZbX-VhlMNny-njadNGSJ1rn2N82zusBHAUySxUY0-4T_IrdPlDXfEdp98pkfJ7AFA659QwC49VHzlINcz6T6WKnFciVN3s_n8_u_vubvdqEyAKQ/w480-h640/IMG_4077.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Just before I had to catch my train, I had enough time for the place I’d saved till last. My personal favourite, <b>Gay’s The Word</b>. It’s a no brainer that I love this bookshop with my whole heart. I can’t go to London without buying a book there.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VOuscFcIbV1Ld3L1WtJA_F99U1TIchBG2uT1gAPcY2T3-AukIQmQ5tGEMyrj6etn94FzYlDn588eVnSurqQo6xTaUxS-crKBJXBzl6qIrxnECS5naeTVF8IwM3lMq4v4AE9ieKNAMAzvQplhRdQFap9m4KnaYzIN9yk5kO0NKgUNUjvH9V77u9CgWpg/s2717/IMG_4075.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="2038" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VOuscFcIbV1Ld3L1WtJA_F99U1TIchBG2uT1gAPcY2T3-AukIQmQ5tGEMyrj6etn94FzYlDn588eVnSurqQo6xTaUxS-crKBJXBzl6qIrxnECS5naeTVF8IwM3lMq4v4AE9ieKNAMAzvQplhRdQFap9m4KnaYzIN9yk5kO0NKgUNUjvH9V77u9CgWpg/w480-h640/IMG_4075.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This time I managed to get my hands on a copy of <b>Love Letters: Virgina Woolf and Vita Sackville-West</b>. Oh, to be tending a castle garden whilst sending love letters to one of the best writers of all time. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXl6DgAcIM9sf0AJqWrx_0iGuouh-BleUl2YgEkuCEJKTLKEK9Y_8IVMZc745vzKcGSyHQwtDmAclyJ6WYt9ILgoAwb63vbSV8G0XqXmmVLwiguDsgPN_qARI1wH9ZlfbOoDRDXRUd7l2Q5zYBq2GUW9y_7X8otezQOQTEqb_i4Omi79AMOru_rwGY-c/s3161/IMG_4076.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3161" data-original-width="2370" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXl6DgAcIM9sf0AJqWrx_0iGuouh-BleUl2YgEkuCEJKTLKEK9Y_8IVMZc745vzKcGSyHQwtDmAclyJ6WYt9ILgoAwb63vbSV8G0XqXmmVLwiguDsgPN_qARI1wH9ZlfbOoDRDXRUd7l2Q5zYBq2GUW9y_7X8otezQOQTEqb_i4Omi79AMOru_rwGY-c/w480-h640/IMG_4076.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I made my way back to the station, I passed by one of the homes of <b>J. M. Barrie</b>. How are we all feeling about Peter Pan finally being in the public domain?? I’m excited for what stories it brings because I’ve always been a sucker for Peter Pan retellings. I’ve been planning my own story (based more on Hook 👀) for years now and I’m hoping that 2024 is the year I’ll actually get it written. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv0dmnmg8FxXBxUggp9fx46sRRb6ZaUhz5rwllb_SGEZjyjlT8t8HyRPwPi7_c6xHn6LvG2kFhpvaihPSakJBxAF5Y-dSjNJyyYSMmgs0IbwxQsEgziqJnwTLWndgRQPTJ-MRRMdlNHDI4dMD2etvtxWQ1URvzWkGdBoPhAWcygl2z-R8zKlkNbmyDFY/s4032/IMG_4080.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv0dmnmg8FxXBxUggp9fx46sRRb6ZaUhz5rwllb_SGEZjyjlT8t8HyRPwPi7_c6xHn6LvG2kFhpvaihPSakJBxAF5Y-dSjNJyyYSMmgs0IbwxQsEgziqJnwTLWndgRQPTJ-MRRMdlNHDI4dMD2etvtxWQ1URvzWkGdBoPhAWcygl2z-R8zKlkNbmyDFY/w480-h640/IMG_4080.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So, a short and sweet bookish wander around the capital for me, but I enjoyed every second of it. If I lived closer to London, the bookshops would never be rid of me. </div><div><h3 style="text-align: center;">What’s your favourite London bookshop, or one you’d like to visit?
</h3><p></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsWT8guHEUi-C3ut_WBzqi0ZcnW6IXACDkdGjcHu-P2MH9xmCTpuG9p5J8_zRDVHf2zuZOV3TS1y7-TjUSVgDN4ww4z6AbB5uqgbBfPMpFv-sxoBkIIGUV4TWDqJwgGbhGNvVN13rVyKhoodeMrlzVhXmVszjocOZk2bAZIhYmM_JhLGITJ0oRa7qEj0/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsWT8guHEUi-C3ut_WBzqi0ZcnW6IXACDkdGjcHu-P2MH9xmCTpuG9p5J8_zRDVHf2zuZOV3TS1y7-TjUSVgDN4ww4z6AbB5uqgbBfPMpFv-sxoBkIIGUV4TWDqJwgGbhGNvVN13rVyKhoodeMrlzVhXmVszjocOZk2bAZIhYmM_JhLGITJ0oRa7qEj0/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-12825528773482528332023-10-11T18:37:00.001+01:002023-10-11T18:37:11.134+01:00books i've loved and loathed│SMALL THOUGHTS #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIIGkPQKx7yupsPwQ-gbuDtVBxzn1VYUxZqiOkQVoOthI33733ThJuE8IjEtSzXP0i4Rphul-lrdZh4caf45JY5GkK46YWHfqug5Wne388ehTK4TZ2dGr36BLiPHG8gYmAziQ5lvwQaPYiVPgU9ecTtoeK5FQfTEwIOKUDp9LPxFadZayKfvdDoqMovk/s1086/20230723_115108959_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1086" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIIGkPQKx7yupsPwQ-gbuDtVBxzn1VYUxZqiOkQVoOthI33733ThJuE8IjEtSzXP0i4Rphul-lrdZh4caf45JY5GkK46YWHfqug5Wne388ehTK4TZ2dGr36BLiPHG8gYmAziQ5lvwQaPYiVPgU9ecTtoeK5FQfTEwIOKUDp9LPxFadZayKfvdDoqMovk/w640-h360/20230723_115108959_iOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Hello, my fellow book enjoyers! It’s been a while since I’ve updated the ol’ blog – life has been a bit hectic. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been reading! In fact, I’m having one of my strongest reading years in a loooong time. It’s just that I haven’t been able to sit down and properly type up my thoughts. Whilst I will, of course, get back to full reviews very soon, I thought I’d do my own take on the classic <b>Mini Review</b>, just so I can share some of my opinions on books that might get lost in my ‘to-review pile’. Especially because I tend to focus on YA/NA books here, this is perfect opportunity to have a little chat about the other books I enjoy as well. So, here’s a little run down of some of the books I’ve been reading lately! <div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Fence: Redemption </h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC1piPKEIzsUK0oTapqcjTDjYAMUW1KTMzax31oDM6YOzM-789N_pL0FbfheELtrGP7FoegrvPzCR7tsw7pRE2DWgKjvxjqgugDFwUX5Vfa7WOpSQhgc29QXl4HGywS3xiBKjHYpkc1Ot9UzIm-Hf0ui80eyUxqJzWOoRmEo9P19aPAdQsPAVT2RuEek/s2560/20230722_163457158_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC1piPKEIzsUK0oTapqcjTDjYAMUW1KTMzax31oDM6YOzM-789N_pL0FbfheELtrGP7FoegrvPzCR7tsw7pRE2DWgKjvxjqgugDFwUX5Vfa7WOpSQhgc29QXl4HGywS3xiBKjHYpkc1Ot9UzIm-Hf0ui80eyUxqJzWOoRmEo9P19aPAdQsPAVT2RuEek/w640-h480/20230722_163457158_iOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote><div>
Return to the thrilling world of high-stakes, competitive fencing with a brand new story featuring the beloved cast of characters from the original hit series. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are Seiji and Jesse really through? The rumors around Halverton, the prestigious fencing training camp, have spread like wildfire, but it’s not long before a mystery fencer arrives–one who may finally pose a threat to the #1 spot. </div><div><br /></div><div>Will Seiji’s unquenchable quest for rivalry be what finally makes him leave Nicholas behind?</div></blockquote><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s2067/quick%20thoughts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="2067" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s320/quick%20thoughts.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><div>For those of you who don’t already know, <b>Fence</b> is my <b>absolute favourite comic series</b>. These characters own my whole heart, and I’ve been anxiously waiting to see what happens next. The <b>Redemption arc </b>contains four short comics that were published across four months, and they have NOT disappointed after the wait. I feel like we’re finally reaching some of the plot points we’ve been waiting for all these years and I’m so excited. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2kuYNqzJYZ5QGwOZlg2jq2AqS3ljctbtHi5-Lb9QVHVo7TlbpWTLqdXrtGU10h4wwJj4TGGQG69sPuKGWGd-U7v6RsWTGiFe9f2k16AAzGrwKtK8GNYNIHYdOevOiXVHfZWQWCW4q9-ibYYgeXDWL1_tKYZNRBrvEE3aWHWtpqxI2D0QjS8QOQGyHo4/s534/5%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" height="66" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2kuYNqzJYZ5QGwOZlg2jq2AqS3ljctbtHi5-Lb9QVHVo7TlbpWTLqdXrtGU10h4wwJj4TGGQG69sPuKGWGd-U7v6RsWTGiFe9f2k16AAzGrwKtK8GNYNIHYdOevOiXVHfZWQWCW4q9-ibYYgeXDWL1_tKYZNRBrvEE3aWHWtpqxI2D0QjS8QOQGyHo4/w200-h66/5%20Crowns.png" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Darkhearts by James L. Sutter</h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EWmbjO4sLuyWPVX2LtNewvsVNI2ra2aOg5QEogRTmy-crndbURCfgaKpvvOW6TKwtjDOniYItfSKhEHjl6_11RR6rMtgNG8zEQRsZmMgYKbA0NmynHsQQ2Qv7cuL_jfiEgC7cXEoz4q2gKzJksktlclcwUhFzHpyPxhOiVQfyJ6eKd9xN3jxKVxHHFk/s2443/20230722_163555279_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="2443" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EWmbjO4sLuyWPVX2LtNewvsVNI2ra2aOg5QEogRTmy-crndbURCfgaKpvvOW6TKwtjDOniYItfSKhEHjl6_11RR6rMtgNG8zEQRsZmMgYKbA0NmynHsQQ2Qv7cuL_jfiEgC7cXEoz4q2gKzJksktlclcwUhFzHpyPxhOiVQfyJ6eKd9xN3jxKVxHHFk/w640-h480/20230722_163555279_iOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote><div>When David quit his band, he missed his shot at fame. For the past two years, he’s been trapped in an ordinary Seattle high school life, working summers for his dad’s construction business while his former best friends Chance and Eli became the hottest teen pop act in America. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then Eli dies. Suddenly David and Chance are thrown back into contact, forcing David to rediscover all the little things that once made the two of them so close, even as he continues to despise the singer’s posturing and attention-hogging. As old wounds break open, an unexpected kiss leads the boys to trade frenemy status for a confusing, tentative romance—one Chance is desperate to keep out of the spotlight. Though hurt by Chance’s refusal to acknowledge him publicly, David decides their new relationship presents a perfect opportunity for him to rejoin the band and claim the celebrity he's been denied. But Chance is all too familiar with people trying to use him. </div><div><br /></div><div>As the mixture of business and pleasure becomes a powder keg, David will have to choose: Is this his second chance at glory? Or his second chance at Chance?</div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s2067/quick%20thoughts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="2067" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s320/quick%20thoughts.png" width="320" /></a></div><div>Ah, boyband novels.<b> One of my favourite genres</b>. I am a sucker for a story that revolves around bands, especially when there is a romance within said band. It just makes for a juicy plot. And<b> Darkhearts</b> sounded like it was going to be everything I’d want in a book. A band torn apart. Friends turned enemies, slowly becoming lovers. It should have been great. <b>I wanted to love it</b> - I really did! But it just didn’t deliver what I was hoping for, and there were actually parts of it that made me mad, if I’m honest. </div><div><br /></div><div>The main character was just irredeemably selfish and misunderstanding. I preferred Chance, so maybe it would have been more enjoyable if it was split POV.
The building of the romance between them was nearly interesting enough to warrant three stars because there were moments that had me hooked. I just wanted David to open his eyes and realise he was just as much at fault for the mistakes that had been made in their past. Even when he did have a slight realisation of that fact, he still reacted terribly. He was just too much of an unlikeable protagonist for me. </div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2YsMsgz0zpjg01jAhXZCmQiDrKcCC_GMrqMcaT25CneVPI9acukO9Ywtd4wsuKbHbGACJ6Zch27Att69e8w35bewZxbpb14VNAsO-_H7y9c660r1j719P8pfMDSOjsT8Ru54WY6ig3zTkfcvYqqgxhiiYv43EWM0v94NoRDGhA955J3rv4Xf168ySAI/s436/2%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="436" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2YsMsgz0zpjg01jAhXZCmQiDrKcCC_GMrqMcaT25CneVPI9acukO9Ywtd4wsuKbHbGACJ6Zch27Att69e8w35bewZxbpb14VNAsO-_H7y9c660r1j719P8pfMDSOjsT8Ru54WY6ig3zTkfcvYqqgxhiiYv43EWM0v94NoRDGhA955J3rv4Xf168ySAI/w200-h77/2%20Crowns.png" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out by Ryan Love</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGBfvv1GAoJc7tJWdoBKPUcyv0HhzAOWje3XBv1-3T1HlBKm4maF5B8zlU209eKlBxB2JlGlILcUUvmRzzvzc0Rd1AR8ChqQ4_iWKwmsMVor-HdQDRwHJ6eXh1kKg-x9o5v3LYhl9s9VPcWt2GgOh32PqkL_rG2MziyDGxdTtltIGL6E8VGxTWhqbC_o/s2310/20230722_163511209_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="2310" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGBfvv1GAoJc7tJWdoBKPUcyv0HhzAOWje3XBv1-3T1HlBKm4maF5B8zlU209eKlBxB2JlGlILcUUvmRzzvzc0Rd1AR8ChqQ4_iWKwmsMVor-HdQDRwHJ6eXh1kKg-x9o5v3LYhl9s9VPcWt2GgOh32PqkL_rG2MziyDGxdTtltIGL6E8VGxTWhqbC_o/w640-h480/20230722_163511209_iOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote><div>When 79-year-old Arthur Edwards gathers his family together to share some important news, no one is prepared for the bombshell he drops: he's gay, and after a lifetime in the closet, he's finally ready to come out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Arthur's 21-year-old grandson, Teddy, has a secret of his own: he's also gay, and developing serious feelings for his colleague Ben. But Teddy doesn't feel ready to come out yet – especially when Arthur’s announcement causes shockwaves in the family. </div><div><br /></div><div>Arthur and Teddy have always been close, and now they must navigate first loves, heartbreak, and finding their place in their community. But can they – and their family – learn to accept who they truly are?</div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s2067/quick%20thoughts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="2067" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s320/quick%20thoughts.png" width="320" /></a></div><div>Oh, this one was adorable. <b>Told in split POV</b> between Arthur and his grandson, we see the two of them come out as gay to the people around them. It was interesting to have the story told by completely different generations, showing us the <b>changes in the queer community</b> and how far we still have to go. I actually enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.
Arthur’s story is so important, proving that it’s never too late to live your life they way you deserve to. Everyone should be loved and accepted whilst living openly. If you need a pick-me-up book, then definitely give this one a try. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFE014NyObcAGIpEWZ_jWFtP0gC9AeJKt7kcRoQptJ3SH2H-RPGe1S4ABosiUPRmB1cs9AWwIqmvKcNsqFexO8qYqbljiSmheP5SeVu_aReHuzkkVesLMqC5oWK6PWGlrIn1B2httx6Q0u4RuP1dwnaggVYncHsEYgcMogJ_T_zuG7zX__bkB2cnenUc/s646/4%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="646" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFE014NyObcAGIpEWZ_jWFtP0gC9AeJKt7kcRoQptJ3SH2H-RPGe1S4ABosiUPRmB1cs9AWwIqmvKcNsqFexO8qYqbljiSmheP5SeVu_aReHuzkkVesLMqC5oWK6PWGlrIn1B2httx6Q0u4RuP1dwnaggVYncHsEYgcMogJ_T_zuG7zX__bkB2cnenUc/w320-h78/4%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div><h2 style="text-align: center;">Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR__7IH3hYcatvc3UQoUMXvI9kWYi0teGIOlQt9ZZ4nL882HbaMf1VBbwb5gRTuAu7m3ycoR-xeX13aCocBTRaaHzyzXRpw43X0GRdyjZiW8XxBTxrzCIH3aJmjFiO1O52vuPkdr1YLyo8IHfJZus9PUFYnBtq3wB-FqX1zaH2kKkrAk3UX2uPZWaU1c/s2560/20230722_163527625_iOS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR__7IH3hYcatvc3UQoUMXvI9kWYi0teGIOlQt9ZZ4nL882HbaMf1VBbwb5gRTuAu7m3ycoR-xeX13aCocBTRaaHzyzXRpw43X0GRdyjZiW8XxBTxrzCIH3aJmjFiO1O52vuPkdr1YLyo8IHfJZus9PUFYnBtq3wB-FqX1zaH2kKkrAk3UX2uPZWaU1c/w640-h480/20230722_163527625_iOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote><div>Edison Rooker isn’t sure what to expect when he enters the office of Antonia Hex, the powerful sorceress who runs a call center for magical emergencies. He doesn’t have much experience with hexes or curses. Heck, he doesn’t even have magic. But he does have a plan—to regain the access to the magical world he lost when his grandmother passed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Antonia is…intimidating, but she gives him a job and a new name—Rook—both of which he’s happy to accept. Now all Rook has to do is keep his Spell Binder, an illegal magical detection device, hidden from the Magical Consortium. And contend with Sun, the grumpy and annoyingly cute apprentice to Antonia’s rival colleague, Fable. But dealing with competition isn’t so bad; as Sun seems to pop up more and more, and Rook minds less and less. </div><div><br /></div><div>But when the Consortium gets wind of Rook’s Spell Binder, they come for Antonia. All alone, Rook runs to the only other magical person he knows: Sun. Except Fable has also been attacked, and now Rook and Sun have no choice but to work together to get their mentors back…or face losing their magic forever.</div></blockquote><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s2067/quick%20thoughts.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="2067" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjucwFPe2DVD3fxzFegBrNBlzJo6yuMV3q3PwgWtmT58TjK9QhxXMx5HCKosH3VZ4eRlmhY0ZdgtNGW3PLsDB-oXtaG_IV3xbdpliABKOKdVJjDRNai0Fcftt4tJ8oh6FbY0CGU50UOK2JariuNd7ni8N5wpinPjEQSa2giaIYu55c0UFSrb7nBCCK5o8/s320/quick%20thoughts.png" width="320" /></a></div><div>It’s safe to say <b>F. T. Lukens is an auto-buy author for me</b> at this point, and <b>Spell Bound </b>might be my favourite of their books so far. We don’t have nearly enough light-hearted, standalone YA fantasy stories.
The characters in this are absolutely adorable, and it had just the right amount of romance between them. <b>The world building was easy to understand,</b> whilst still packing in plenty of interesting info. I’d say that this book is perfect even for people who don’t read a lot of fantasy because the chatty writing style and character driven moments give it a slight contemporary feel. I’m still missing these characters after finishing the book months ago. Especially Sun – they’re an absolute delight!
</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFE014NyObcAGIpEWZ_jWFtP0gC9AeJKt7kcRoQptJ3SH2H-RPGe1S4ABosiUPRmB1cs9AWwIqmvKcNsqFexO8qYqbljiSmheP5SeVu_aReHuzkkVesLMqC5oWK6PWGlrIn1B2httx6Q0u4RuP1dwnaggVYncHsEYgcMogJ_T_zuG7zX__bkB2cnenUc/s646/4%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="646" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFE014NyObcAGIpEWZ_jWFtP0gC9AeJKt7kcRoQptJ3SH2H-RPGe1S4ABosiUPRmB1cs9AWwIqmvKcNsqFexO8qYqbljiSmheP5SeVu_aReHuzkkVesLMqC5oWK6PWGlrIn1B2httx6Q0u4RuP1dwnaggVYncHsEYgcMogJ_T_zuG7zX__bkB2cnenUc/s320/4%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So there we have it - that's just a small selection of the books I've been reading lately! I'll be back to full reviews soon but I'll definitely keep doing some mini reviews so I don't pressure myself to write a full review for absolutely everything I read. But if you'd like to keep tabs on all my bookish thoughts, then feel free to head over to my <a href="https://twitter.com/katiebookqueen?lang=en">Twitter</a>, where I unashamedly scream about books. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Until next time, my bookish friends!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDDUVOycw-eZy5zvxsgQghKtUiCfXtANyx5SPNMqDQTy6JLhdDoBPIIIi3GQ2SBRCJm3atArLLXij-QUD3udkaVpVqunug3Y8BiOZtGp_AS8zw5z40NynA6hd6nQHIRQK7JpkyTzGaLZ2g20U2ct24JuJBnd7PeHXrN7Xyo8t6PwrYjl_wAl066pKRCY/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDDUVOycw-eZy5zvxsgQghKtUiCfXtANyx5SPNMqDQTy6JLhdDoBPIIIi3GQ2SBRCJm3atArLLXij-QUD3udkaVpVqunug3Y8BiOZtGp_AS8zw5z40NynA6hd6nQHIRQK7JpkyTzGaLZ2g20U2ct24JuJBnd7PeHXrN7Xyo8t6PwrYjl_wAl066pKRCY/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div></div></div>
KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-15628068550659575162023-03-21T17:32:00.000+00:002023-03-21T17:32:08.045+00:00REVIEW: Boy Like Me by Simon James Green<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXdpnr9BDMKUgynS25divHMUgRwQxvonX1pnepBg19jGgKakBbjl41ggPQSFA_nFKgmCX8Z6PQslg85MS1Du6BCRhSmZQFp0_OlqBaT9gz0vfPjpbcSM1ug6leLw9nZApuQIZ2hPgo3VUubVi8VU2SY3KYLf9yWf0O4RQ_oMZwigLlUt9v8ocQfgp/s2339/64484966.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXdpnr9BDMKUgynS25divHMUgRwQxvonX1pnepBg19jGgKakBbjl41ggPQSFA_nFKgmCX8Z6PQslg85MS1Du6BCRhSmZQFp0_OlqBaT9gz0vfPjpbcSM1ug6leLw9nZApuQIZ2hPgo3VUubVi8VU2SY3KYLf9yWf0O4RQ_oMZwigLlUt9v8ocQfgp/s320/64484966.jpg" width="208" /></a><b>Pages:</b> 368<div><b>Format: </b>Paperback</div><div><b>Publisher:</b> Scholastic</div><div><b>Genre: </b>Contemporary, LGBTQ+</div><div><b>Release Date: </b>March 2nd 2023</div><b>TW:</b> Homophobia<div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>It's 1994 and thanks to Section 28, there can be no mention of gay relationships in schools. When a school librarian leads Jamie to a disguised novel in the library that reflects his own confused feelings towards boys, he notices that he's not the only one who has checked the book out. In the margins of the pages, he and another student start to leave messages for each other, and Jamie starts to believe that he's not alone ... and maybe also has a shot at finding love. That is, until the secret novel is discovered by the head teacher and all hell breaks loose. </blockquote></div><div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/s316/The%20Plot.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/w200-h79/The%20Plot.png" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>THE SCENE:</b> it’s 11pm and I’m sobbing in bed after finishing this incredible novel, in awe of how Simon James Green has managed to outdo himself once again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPe6SbMUUCWTvOdc9W1Bww8dNgtT5i-N-I0qUHn3O50Hv8I59geL6xuuF1opij2PQedFk55_PMwWeER1Uqu4m3FBOrnbwxKuXvhMRSNQVMGbCc9-p_PEoNUjWd4Kcggmj7V6WWjHeS0xl-N3V4e4t2z2mkpEIrJZIIoTzY23WZiAsWmkr_Hubat0C/s2560/90CAEE9F-2153-40D9-8B0E-736117EEBF96.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPe6SbMUUCWTvOdc9W1Bww8dNgtT5i-N-I0qUHn3O50Hv8I59geL6xuuF1opij2PQedFk55_PMwWeER1Uqu4m3FBOrnbwxKuXvhMRSNQVMGbCc9-p_PEoNUjWd4Kcggmj7V6WWjHeS0xl-N3V4e4t2z2mkpEIrJZIIoTzY23WZiAsWmkr_Hubat0C/w640-h480/90CAEE9F-2153-40D9-8B0E-736117EEBF96.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
A love story that starts in the margins of a book? <b>I was already in</b>. But upon finding out this story took places in the 90s, a time when<b> Section 28 </b>was still a law, I knew this was going to be one of the most <b>important stories I’d read this year</b>. And I was completely right. </div><div><br /></div><div>When a hero librarian gives our main character, Jamie, a <b>book about two boys falling in love</b>, he discovers that another person who’d read the book had left a note inside. So, with his questions about his own sexuality, he starts a conversation with the mystery boy. </div><div><br /></div><div>My own high school years started during the year that Section 28 was abolished, so I wasn’t aware of the damage it had caused and the depths of its censorship until I was much older. But even throughout my five years, <b>I only recall coming across a single LGBTQ+ story on the shelves of my own high school library</b>. Section 28 ending didn’t cause a bunch of queer books to magically appear on our shelves. It was still down to the hard work of librarians and campaigners, and many regular people who spoke out for something they believed in, which Boy Like Me celebrates and highlights the importance of. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s531/The%20Characters.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s320/The%20Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>GOD I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS SO DAMN MUCH. Jamie is the perfect main character. He has so many questions about who he is and what his future might look like. Though I’m a bit younger, it still reminded me of my own experiences growing up in the 90s and early 00s as a kid who was on the outside, <b>not quite finding a place to belong</b>. Though this story isn't always a happy one, it shows us that no matter what, there is always hope for a brighter future. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8SRp9mYavTde7gcweteGDkg6xwwE5mdhNqSk64fpZsVLedLXjtvtB2ATDeW3n9hRo1u89fYbUSHDdGAvcWFmLZt9QLqZ9uGjAL9M9G8lVQczOXFez4WHqwP1_wHxhewJW1tuQ-v_HlhC6TAnCy5VUs4Oo-vZ1rhcLVLzqdpv7WcQ_zs2U9fdJ9Rm/s1930/567EAF12-E0C5-4A8E-AAF3-470F3B3367F7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1930" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8SRp9mYavTde7gcweteGDkg6xwwE5mdhNqSk64fpZsVLedLXjtvtB2ATDeW3n9hRo1u89fYbUSHDdGAvcWFmLZt9QLqZ9uGjAL9M9G8lVQczOXFez4WHqwP1_wHxhewJW1tuQ-v_HlhC6TAnCy5VUs4Oo-vZ1rhcLVLzqdpv7WcQ_zs2U9fdJ9Rm/w640-h480/567EAF12-E0C5-4A8E-AAF3-470F3B3367F7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>
I won’t mention the mystery boy by name because SPOILERS, however I can confirm that I love him DEARLY. His growing relationship with Jamie is adorable. I also can’t not mention the librarian in this story. What an absolute gem she is. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s571/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s320/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>FOOTNOTES. </b>Including footnotes in this story was a genius move on Simon’s part. Not only did a lot of them give me a good giggle, but it made for a great way to give us little glimpses of the character’s futures. One of them had me in tears. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>CONNECTION. </b>This story and these characters feel so real. It’s completely immersive and will wreak havoc with your emotions. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>90’S REFERENCES. </b>Am I making a playlist full of the songs mention in this book? Why yes, yes I am. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66szwQ3GJ7MNTtrq7lEBqI-ecmrUfHws0Y-mPHgaIvYtJnMHaOHcy7GmGLimz0GyDdHZ92b562IiEBU_YOsDVl76eyyjgZHo3WYcCLNOEZfWCtf1mXKwglNLHO7aKcSXhG3U5anqvL6z4m-mro9su3X-hoTQ-BWGJIEI9NG9TV0O218p5RoosFWsR/s2332/B65A95BB-7FC9-467C-B059-124D4C7E9FAB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="2332" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66szwQ3GJ7MNTtrq7lEBqI-ecmrUfHws0Y-mPHgaIvYtJnMHaOHcy7GmGLimz0GyDdHZ92b562IiEBU_YOsDVl76eyyjgZHo3WYcCLNOEZfWCtf1mXKwglNLHO7aKcSXhG3U5anqvL6z4m-mro9su3X-hoTQ-BWGJIEI9NG9TV0O218p5RoosFWsR/w640-h480/B65A95BB-7FC9-467C-B059-124D4C7E9FAB.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s577/final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="577" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s320/final.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This book took on a different tone from Simon’s other stories, but it’s easily become my favourite one yet. <b>I was sobbing my heart out during the final few chapters</b>. I know I am always telling you to read Simon’s books, but if you’re going to let me persuade you into picking up one, make sure it’s <b>Boy Like Me</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>My own footnote: </b>my sister and I searched absolutely EVERYWHERE for some Fruit Polos to include in our pictures of this book. The closest we came was a Post Office telling us they do, in fact, still stock them. They just have no idea when.
</div><div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s534/5%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s320/5%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><p></p></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-7177096309409355192023-01-29T15:36:00.003+00:002023-01-29T15:37:13.364+00:00EVENT RECAP: An Evening with Leigh BardugoAs a huge fan of Leigh Bardugo, I was able to meet her back in 2016 during her <a href="http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/2016/10/event-recap-worlds-collide-tour-with.html">Worlds Collide tour with Rainbow Rowell</a>, just after the release of <b>Crooked Kingdom</b>. Obviously, much has changed since then! With her first adult novel and a show adaptation for the Grishaverse, I was eager to see Leigh talk about all of the exciting things that have happened over the past few years. So when I found out she was coming to Liverpool on her tour for <b>Hell Bent</b>, I just had to go. <div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCQ1bvMH99j6jE50YGT6lQCmyyYJKYHEFKmYBMmSdV76yi7Hz6v37Et55W0qRfkj07q-uUIy1tqU9oEpW3AnSkOujYiLRMa5uKHvQ085Awa0ImuX0lVT7vZv1Et7T6U41IdT9gaLYQezibMMIbRjazbbj35T3m2BAGdSTETu4ldd19WGKdtYYA9Cj/s2560/17F97C6B-115A-479C-AD10-630AA2472EB8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCQ1bvMH99j6jE50YGT6lQCmyyYJKYHEFKmYBMmSdV76yi7Hz6v37Et55W0qRfkj07q-uUIy1tqU9oEpW3AnSkOujYiLRMa5uKHvQ085Awa0ImuX0lVT7vZv1Et7T6U41IdT9gaLYQezibMMIbRjazbbj35T3m2BAGdSTETu4ldd19WGKdtYYA9Cj/w480-h640/17F97C6B-115A-479C-AD10-630AA2472EB8.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I decided to wear the Shadow and Bone jacket I painted just before the release of the show last year! </span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>First of all, the location for the event was absolutely gorgeous. It’s commonly used as a wedding venue and there were fairy lights dotted around all over the place. On our way in, we got given our signed copies of Hell Bent that came with the ticket. We were allowed to bring one item to have personalised, which I loved because it gave people the choice as to what they wanted signed. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv91tziBMXpGAO0i8TclqGVknambAwLu6odaMxirlqKCkj0n8TlE0DTfYeM4psfCd7bI18oTNRzQ0HpXrMUFcYtCokPlvgRIM4TVyiXo6AR6XcjNlUZbJgci-DfsJzKKr_WAcC9EV32JGjeM4PIjR9sXCUtwmRzqxoO_51UAZgD9LtOTNsqQDtdOM/s2290/52687B20-B81D-4B01-80D3-698A399A6723.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1718" data-original-width="2290" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv91tziBMXpGAO0i8TclqGVknambAwLu6odaMxirlqKCkj0n8TlE0DTfYeM4psfCd7bI18oTNRzQ0HpXrMUFcYtCokPlvgRIM4TVyiXo6AR6XcjNlUZbJgci-DfsJzKKr_WAcC9EV32JGjeM4PIjR9sXCUtwmRzqxoO_51UAZgD9LtOTNsqQDtdOM/w640-h480/52687B20-B81D-4B01-80D3-698A399A6723.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The event itself started with Leigh speaking a little about Hell Bent and how it came to be, and the rest of the time was a Q&A so she could answer as many reader questions as possible, which I completely adored. It was a very relaxed and casual event, and though I wasn’t brave enough to ask a question, I enjoyed hearing everyone else speak! </div><div><br /></div><div>Leigh made it clear that no questions were off limits – it could be anything about any of her stories and projects. There were quite a few people who spoke about what Leigh’s books meant to them and I actually teared up a few times! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoMukKmAQu2Dn-Ql5GYXaqezVk4Lc-LeF1X1Z5LUqsEpsuqwpBeSuTV-tovHE4M4EphrLgOXM_Zt4hxi5Ihb7AG2LifwO4tptvjj_0fYEpsr0rzOpuepXZNRfb268zYlGyjc1Th9oF0lKI5oJVZJeWXAbu-QDUzdQ9T2fBQPDS1uzVWM13poez89s/s1879/8516FB98-E858-4350-B7C2-1FC1A3A4D2B1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1879" data-original-width="1409" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoMukKmAQu2Dn-Ql5GYXaqezVk4Lc-LeF1X1Z5LUqsEpsuqwpBeSuTV-tovHE4M4EphrLgOXM_Zt4hxi5Ihb7AG2LifwO4tptvjj_0fYEpsr0rzOpuepXZNRfb268zYlGyjc1Th9oF0lKI5oJVZJeWXAbu-QDUzdQ9T2fBQPDS1uzVWM13poez89s/w480-h640/8516FB98-E858-4350-B7C2-1FC1A3A4D2B1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of the stand-out questions for me was when someone asked if she’d consider writing short-story updates for <b>Six of Crows</b>, to which she said no. She explained that she didn’t see that format working for the story and it would take a full sequel off the table if she ever did want to return to that world in the future. I couldn’t agree more! If we were ever going to get a continuation of SoC, I’d definitely want it to be a full-length novel. </div><div><br /></div><div>Taking questions about <b>Ninth House</b>, Leigh told us a bit about her experience in Yale and how that helped shape the story. She recalled how she got criticism when the book was first released due to its themes, but she stuck by why she included them and told them in the way that she did. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDDj0kE3Kffb1UBgmL3lrThYP7kxrTCgvRhErK7K02yzU3oT-EBtOAgOSAT-Eo44K1g6shVOMn3fKvqt1gLoJwGJKVvRYuOeMJvpY50M0jaXb4sVcFJXXgVXQpvLdL5pX8rmN8KuKKyANu4410ktyn1k1T5XZmCWe-1jmK-hIaje77NcEJQ32HGRV/s2065/6A7A0DD5-64DB-48C1-B903-F6FC8E07908D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2065" data-original-width="1549" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDDj0kE3Kffb1UBgmL3lrThYP7kxrTCgvRhErK7K02yzU3oT-EBtOAgOSAT-Eo44K1g6shVOMn3fKvqt1gLoJwGJKVvRYuOeMJvpY50M0jaXb4sVcFJXXgVXQpvLdL5pX8rmN8KuKKyANu4410ktyn1k1T5XZmCWe-1jmK-hIaje77NcEJQ32HGRV/w480-h640/6A7A0DD5-64DB-48C1-B903-F6FC8E07908D.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, there were questions about the <b>Shadow and Bone TV show</b>. Someone questioned whether the Crows would be getting their own story told, without the plot being weaved into S&B. Leigh couldn’t tell us anything other than to keep supporting the show as best we can. </div><div><br /></div><div>When it was time for the actual signing, I asked Leigh to sign my painted jacket, which she adored! She told me I was talented, and I nearly burst into tears right there, but I managed to hold it together. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTOL0412wLK2savg_Vb5J1e5F5heTdf7F5sonY4IEHSY0gfnaZb9Xez39e4llBI1xQccIH7l7pExWyJmBxN-x2rJl71cxpJ7JGmKypyXjRRUlPnsASDwetuwnX8cDSsQTg-Sgzem4pI8pz66N83wwv6d86TKSVjHgf1QYgLdwIHQmui9wFGdTnqno/s1753/BB12E208-514A-432D-A550-78B8B1E9AB2D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1753" data-original-width="1753" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTOL0412wLK2savg_Vb5J1e5F5heTdf7F5sonY4IEHSY0gfnaZb9Xez39e4llBI1xQccIH7l7pExWyJmBxN-x2rJl71cxpJ7JGmKypyXjRRUlPnsASDwetuwnX8cDSsQTg-Sgzem4pI8pz66N83wwv6d86TKSVjHgf1QYgLdwIHQmui9wFGdTnqno/w640-h640/BB12E208-514A-432D-A550-78B8B1E9AB2D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITmsvaynCZYP7zYqPtBGkgQDwcImqNgspfqbblUMcW-2lLwkJU0CP1LWkIJVA66iW-aVo3HFmng6TwaBeG1ZrjDGBh1pYq4Qe3GQR_NxJ_nGYJYIv7MptOlQ4s9yq_JqnB0GpAkfwDh3IcZKe83ak6xFNODGxTan-brtHwQm7e3nwx94OtrKvvK83/s1920/507E3306-3E00-4344-ACB8-0BF8F0E8F9A9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITmsvaynCZYP7zYqPtBGkgQDwcImqNgspfqbblUMcW-2lLwkJU0CP1LWkIJVA66iW-aVo3HFmng6TwaBeG1ZrjDGBh1pYq4Qe3GQR_NxJ_nGYJYIv7MptOlQ4s9yq_JqnB0GpAkfwDh3IcZKe83ak6xFNODGxTan-brtHwQm7e3nwx94OtrKvvK83/w640-h640/507E3306-3E00-4344-ACB8-0BF8F0E8F9A9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I’m SO happy to have my jacket signed! It was the first time I’d attempted denim painting on that scale, so it was quite the challenge and it paid off. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf94JsZZ1pNoIuKcQTWLhUZK3KLUCAbfAXdgJXsYxewPyaj-qyBR1qOoWEcczRaqaWNYfM9jO9dTGHpK2EeAs4olAfTa_VF5xY8DjS_G13VmuOnX1ugI46Q-yYfb_td69jkhBtGhQaTe-7RjoFtkcN509ARj1mFi9AgBSHNCY6SJceddN7JLSCdSQv/s2560/AAA38D75-3184-4464-A986-0F3BDE63660F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf94JsZZ1pNoIuKcQTWLhUZK3KLUCAbfAXdgJXsYxewPyaj-qyBR1qOoWEcczRaqaWNYfM9jO9dTGHpK2EeAs4olAfTa_VF5xY8DjS_G13VmuOnX1ugI46Q-yYfb_td69jkhBtGhQaTe-7RjoFtkcN509ARj1mFi9AgBSHNCY6SJceddN7JLSCdSQv/w480-h640/AAA38D75-3184-4464-A986-0F3BDE63660F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>It was such a wonderful event and I’m thrilled that I had the chance to go!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8XBbsRk6JUKEPOzkf8cEKd9Q0T-oEsSzcesRBSPuEnG9Yb0ISZOjbuZcMDdQyYPMb0fQ7A2WKMpES4_bx_oHXlvrwR8-by8up6ckJxftD_z9w9l9tIQfRqJYkbAMhvY5DSBbq8ItZCTV4mcZwwrcTyb-c8bP6gfkJfTbG0CErJBuRSWPvWMszRAL/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8XBbsRk6JUKEPOzkf8cEKd9Q0T-oEsSzcesRBSPuEnG9Yb0ISZOjbuZcMDdQyYPMb0fQ7A2WKMpES4_bx_oHXlvrwR8-by8up6ckJxftD_z9w9l9tIQfRqJYkbAMhvY5DSBbq8ItZCTV4mcZwwrcTyb-c8bP6gfkJfTbG0CErJBuRSWPvWMszRAL/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p></p></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-35241132271112045932023-01-09T13:03:00.003+00:002023-01-09T13:03:44.932+00:00REVIEW: Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGXL8wIZcflhKR_PgpZsQCvXT0w7jM1uCJPYb0sgTRop9Gsdl5oRV-4il1uaXMHrzlkibmVjq54pwaAAuQjbzhJXrWgiTE5iJYNj6YT92CuqKS0lnIDAbEZ6Ia8d2xfwynQXy_x6kfToZW-n2KuSlT_CjHVsRREnQB_TUrSKVQuJBTgc8CjmVaCB9/s1969/717QFwy0rKL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGXL8wIZcflhKR_PgpZsQCvXT0w7jM1uCJPYb0sgTRop9Gsdl5oRV-4il1uaXMHrzlkibmVjq54pwaAAuQjbzhJXrWgiTE5iJYNj6YT92CuqKS0lnIDAbEZ6Ia8d2xfwynQXy_x6kfToZW-n2KuSlT_CjHVsRREnQB_TUrSKVQuJBTgc8CjmVaCB9/s320/717QFwy0rKL.jpg" width="228" /></a><b>Pages:</b> 192<div><b>Format: </b>Hardback</div><div><b>Publisher:</b> Simon & Schuster Children's</div><div><b>Genre: </b>Fantasy, Romance</div><div><b>Release Date: </b>January 17th 2023</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor’s occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another . . . ?
<br /><br />
With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth and Nathaniel have to work together to discover the source of the magic before they’re due to host the city’s Midwinter Ball. Faced with a house filled with unexpected secrets, the couple will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right before it’s too late . . . </blockquote></div><div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/s316/The%20Plot.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/w200-h79/The%20Plot.png" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sorcery of Thorns </b>was a book I picked up on a whim last year, not knowing much about it. As fate would have it, it turned out to be <b>one of my favourite books of all time</b>. It was everything I was looking for in a fantasy book, and I’ve been gushing about it ever since. When I found out there was going to be <b>a novella sequel</b>? I was THRILLED.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_nrICx8pVvVQ6kLJtyiGnXxnI-4UdAEphBTQCwqP0Qq-zf-AEDexXDwVap8N3q6Yi6izcAAHGOymVx3Q3igawdqyVUh3FrHlhnHCBv41nt3YgLI8kOmG-b6_ozd5rNzxtjfHAx4IKl30BQRGFvRYk4gEqygdtZDecB9kt3rftJ3k55UFBqVih3QN/s1920/IMG_8680.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_nrICx8pVvVQ6kLJtyiGnXxnI-4UdAEphBTQCwqP0Qq-zf-AEDexXDwVap8N3q6Yi6izcAAHGOymVx3Q3igawdqyVUh3FrHlhnHCBv41nt3YgLI8kOmG-b6_ozd5rNzxtjfHAx4IKl30BQRGFvRYk4gEqygdtZDecB9kt3rftJ3k55UFBqVih3QN/w640-h480/IMG_8680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><div><br /></div>
This novella is exactly what I wanted from a short story follow-up. It catches us up with the characters and gives us what is essentially an <b>extended epilogue</b>. It’s fairly low-stakes, full of fluff, and packed with a mixture of <b>fun action and wholesome bonding moments</b>. Genuinely, I wish more authors would do small sequels like this. I live for them. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s531/The%20Characters.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s320/The%20Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This story <b>expands on the characters</b> so much and I adore it. It was especially great to get small glimpses into the long history that Silas has. He’s such a fascinating character and I could happily read a full-length novel about him. (I am HINTING)
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsscuG7hH0uWIA8kIVX-PnBAv49Q1y6VjLz_uStOTPuJwFfDfDJi5Rm2NfngoSkbJjP7GsA0gkdUBE5fYEdcubA6AOBkhkvVkOYzQ7M7rsZU6_Hvm6BnH6TtQRYNXiSJR5grRopEf6RqaeohXz19B8CbiziE3vTC4AJe0w6vuKs9nx05-H-LYXLWOZ/s1920/IMG_8681.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsscuG7hH0uWIA8kIVX-PnBAv49Q1y6VjLz_uStOTPuJwFfDfDJi5Rm2NfngoSkbJjP7GsA0gkdUBE5fYEdcubA6AOBkhkvVkOYzQ7M7rsZU6_Hvm6BnH6TtQRYNXiSJR5grRopEf6RqaeohXz19B8CbiziE3vTC4AJe0w6vuKs9nx05-H-LYXLWOZ/w640-h480/IMG_8681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The absolute best thing, though, was getting a chance to see Elisabeth and Nathaniel’s relationship bloom. I can’t even begin to tell you how much <b>I loved their chemistry</b> in Sorcery of Thorns. In this book, we see them explore their feelings more and come to terms with their love for each other. Absence of a world-altering plot made for <b>much more time to get to know them</b> as characters. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s571/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s320/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Literally so much fun. </b>I was giggling to myself throughout a lot of this novella. There are just so many funny moments. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>New lore. </b>We get a bigger look into the past of the Thorn family and of the world within this story in general. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Perfect amount of romance.</b> Obviously, the romance between Elisabeth and Nathaniel is at the core of this story, but it’s also about them simply getting to know more about each other as well. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Silas. </b>That’s it.
</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_EnTEnvNjaKSkEacW0Ez0x0-9Aty5-tre46pqjzipvPRwSd4nQHhYey64mewkGJiTzYxkMnPj3Isy6M3OAWCLkvhihB36irtGHn8itzj2hSMH1NXxvg772_JfPjFXOfI3j-zJZrOgERG56poVY2wxHrThghx3lua1XioJtvc3kjYpdjK6Hv4v21w/s2560/IMG_8682.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_EnTEnvNjaKSkEacW0Ez0x0-9Aty5-tre46pqjzipvPRwSd4nQHhYey64mewkGJiTzYxkMnPj3Isy6M3OAWCLkvhihB36irtGHn8itzj2hSMH1NXxvg772_JfPjFXOfI3j-zJZrOgERG56poVY2wxHrThghx3lua1XioJtvc3kjYpdjK6Hv4v21w/w640-h480/IMG_8682.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s577/final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="577" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s320/final.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I’m so grateful that Margaret Rogerson decided to bless us with this adorable story. I love these characters so much and I fully enjoyed getting back to them. Am I satisfied with the way this wraps everything up? Yes. Would I happily take more content set within this world? <b>Absolutely</b>. </div><div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s534/5%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s320/5%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-42071923402724496552023-01-05T14:32:00.002+00:002023-01-05T14:32:27.303+00:00Looking Back on 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKGTDdFMNBw2-yoWq9zBFOp_vYNhEwQfxbyD3eNlcXD3EgfGi7h029DA3deazCjLlqVGOdzrNVbkem-XrntuzGi4UuYK-NdUrH7d3C5VPNDbEUoo5RZsHZbiQPfIkbJFXQT0Knsg7_hjOz2Ng7WtsL-OsxjqxNfwgm85RD6G-l4rTB46ArQtMpDaC/s1024/9FCA9204-46B0-465D-96DC-24A35BF60AAF.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKGTDdFMNBw2-yoWq9zBFOp_vYNhEwQfxbyD3eNlcXD3EgfGi7h029DA3deazCjLlqVGOdzrNVbkem-XrntuzGi4UuYK-NdUrH7d3C5VPNDbEUoo5RZsHZbiQPfIkbJFXQT0Knsg7_hjOz2Ng7WtsL-OsxjqxNfwgm85RD6G-l4rTB46ArQtMpDaC/w640-h320/9FCA9204-46B0-465D-96DC-24A35BF60AAF.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Oh boy, what a year, huh? I don’t think you need me to recap how this year has been, well, a bit of a shit show for the world. So, I’m just going to focus on my little corner of the internet instead. <div><br /></div><div>In terms of how my Bookish Year has gone, <b>I’m actually really proud</b>. I didn’t write as many blog posts as I wanted to, or film as many videos, but what I did manage to do was get back out to <b>book-related events</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a huge deal for me because I haven’t attended an in-person book event since before 2020, and I’d missed them so much. But with my anxious self being out of practice at handling them, I was a little nervous about how I’d react. I can honestly say that the bookish events I’ve been to this year actually ended up being <b>some of my favourite memories</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hmcUm6GIK8sfBWGljYBQfm6PJPGgVjw5RPmEwaYb-x-xOyQxIxsxKz5Pz54JeNL3kQP21rAQ8YeOg8AqJPcbDNwW_Oh9c1ujS-CtU0YgmzoU4Jm-BSqF7N4LzEga3TYJM7ASiop1IxlQnEcNFekv1y1YhtvpQuCEwXcLrEGQyvtcLcSw_6JwqupP/s680/FZEXdroWYAEBXeJ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="680" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hmcUm6GIK8sfBWGljYBQfm6PJPGgVjw5RPmEwaYb-x-xOyQxIxsxKz5Pz54JeNL3kQP21rAQ8YeOg8AqJPcbDNwW_Oh9c1ujS-CtU0YgmzoU4Jm-BSqF7N4LzEga3TYJM7ASiop1IxlQnEcNFekv1y1YhtvpQuCEwXcLrEGQyvtcLcSw_6JwqupP/w640-h406/FZEXdroWYAEBXeJ.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It started back in May, when I finally got a chance to meet <a href="http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/2022/05/event-recap-evening-with-simon-james.html">Simon James Green</a>. Anyone who even casually glances at this blog knows how much I adore him, so it was wonderful to finally meet him in person. Then in the summer, I got to <a href="http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/2022/07/event-recap-evening-with-cassandra-clare.html">meet Cassandra Clare</a> for the third time in an absolutely gorgeous <b>The Last Hours</b> event. And then there was November, when I got to see one of my all-time favourite authors, <a href="http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/2022/11/event-recap-evening-with-alice-oseman.html">Alice Oseman</a>. Being able to see bucket-list authors this year was absolutely not something I expected, but they visited places close to home and I’m SO happy I was able to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other event milestones, I actually volunteered for my first <a href="http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/2022/07/event-recap-wirral-kids-book-fest.html">book festival</a>! It was the Wirral Kids Book Fest, hosted by my local bookshop, <b>Bear Hunt Books</b>. Helping Bear Hunt Books has been such a privilege over this past year, and I’m so thankful that this shop exists. Which leads me onto the next unexpected thing that happened this year… WINDOW DISPLAYS! </div><div> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’ve had a *very* exciting day at the wonderful <a href="https://twitter.com/bearhuntbooks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bearhuntbooks</a> today - I got to paint a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Heartstopper?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Heartstopper</a> window graphic! Seeing all of the love for the story over the past week has made my heart burst because it absolutely deserves every ounce of praise! 💕🍂 <a href="https://t.co/eE4AAogB4b">pic.twitter.com/eE4AAogB4b</a></p>— katie 👑 (@KatieBookQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieBookQueen/status/1519373331706826755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>I’ve been taking my art more seriously since my dad passed away, as art was his main hobby and should honestly have been his profession. Losing him encouraged me to actually put myself out there when it came to art. And in 2022, <b>I ended up with the opportunity to paint some window displays</b> for Bear Hunt Books. Never having done anything of that scale before, I was nervous of it going horribly wrong, but it turned out great! I’ve done three displays this year and I’m proud of them all. I know my dad would be, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for my reading, <b>I hit my goal for the year</b>! I set it for thirty and I managed thirty-two, so I’m happy with that. It’s not quite as high as last year but I’ve been focusing on choosing books I’m especially drawn to and not pressuring myself to read certain ones. That’s meant that <b>I’ve adored most of the books I’ve read this year</b>! If you want to see my list of faves, then I posted it <a href="https://t.co/rxwWznKPJS">over on my booktube channel</a>. There is one that I had a very difficult relationship with (If We Were Villains) but that’s a discussion for another time. I also did quite a few rereads, some of which I didn’t document on Goodreads, so my actual stats are higher. </div><div><br /></div><div>On to my biggest achievement of the year, one I saved right until the last minute. On December 12th, <b>I finally opened an Etsy store for my bookish creations</b>. It’s something I’ve been debating for years but I’ve never had the confidence to finally make the leap. In 2022, I was determined. I chose that date because it’s the anniversary of the day I lost my dad. Instead of focusing on the weight of that loss, I wanted to create a happy memory, and that memory is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/bookstera/">Bookstera</a>. It’s been a small and slow start but I’m very much hoping to grow the shop in the new year. Either way, <b>I’m so proud I finally had the courage to make a start</b>! </div><div> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">i’m finally launching my etsy shop! i’ve been wanting to put my bookish artwork online for a long time but ANXIETY, ya know??? i decided to take the plunge before the year is out though! <br /><br />🌱 <a href="https://t.co/SYSYimSGPF">https://t.co/SYSYimSGPF</a></p>— katie 👑 (@KatieBookQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieBookQueen/status/1602361014548402181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>So, what about 2023? Over the past few years, I’ve tried not to make strict goals to achieve, and it’s worked out much better for me. With that in mind, my only goals for the next twelve months are to <b>keep reading what I love</b> and to <b>create as much bookish content as I can</b>. I would also love to grow within the community as well. I’m super anxious when it comes to reaching out and chatting to people, so I find it difficult to build connections with other bookish creators. That’s something I’d like to be able to work on this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also need to work on my blog a little bit. I haven’t really put much focus on SEO in the past, so I think it’s finally time to start learning about how to improve it! My About and Policy pages could do with a refresh, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for things to look forward to, <b>Leigh Bardugo</b> is coming to my city for her tour at the end of January so I’ve gotten myself a ticket and I can’t wait! And there’s plenty of books I’m anticipating, too. Let’s hope we all have a better year – <b>we deserve it</b>! </div><h3 style="text-align: center;">What are your highlights from 2022?
</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSESYAjj88G2GYF-t-occOoLxawRe8FFJH2eMH_VDXjEGVVinARC_zAZsqMj9LfxAS6st1Pgb8i2e3fFIgFbyGNWZ4qjItI_WCvzWLhDHPgoJldpgyetX2WmwdTpH8YkABL57sbrh9lgMUNVpu73VtITw3-dbX_fNcIZVX3QuD53Qe0pkkx_XZEsd/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSESYAjj88G2GYF-t-occOoLxawRe8FFJH2eMH_VDXjEGVVinARC_zAZsqMj9LfxAS6st1Pgb8i2e3fFIgFbyGNWZ4qjItI_WCvzWLhDHPgoJldpgyetX2WmwdTpH8YkABL57sbrh9lgMUNVpu73VtITw3-dbX_fNcIZVX3QuD53Qe0pkkx_XZEsd/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-66003190110596938592022-11-29T15:45:00.000+00:002022-11-29T15:45:09.573+00:00EVENT RECAP: An Evening with Alice Oseman!It’s no secret that I absolutely adore the work of <b>Alice Oseman</b>. They are easily one of my favourite authors, and <b>I Was Born for This</b> might just be one of the most read books on my shelf at this point. When I found out that Alice was going to do a mini-tour and Manchester was one of the stops, <b>I just had to get a ticket! </b><div><b><br /></b><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY75ZNqhOyB9gQb_KZehtvawyhvdOER0b37HtYe_w6xmXYdjPTH3qFMA7zjnDITwaexHzIWwTpt6ozc_7IcWQautLFB6MAnxDXz6g66cyqCe65UgccKXC5Ks6g2kiFZBMD0E-m3sJXNHuHhrXGga2PtFkr31vhZdkrOJAvzbO1BPdGC-Yp5pFAHGs/s2560/20221102_213916272_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY75ZNqhOyB9gQb_KZehtvawyhvdOER0b37HtYe_w6xmXYdjPTH3qFMA7zjnDITwaexHzIWwTpt6ozc_7IcWQautLFB6MAnxDXz6g66cyqCe65UgccKXC5Ks6g2kiFZBMD0E-m3sJXNHuHhrXGga2PtFkr31vhZdkrOJAvzbO1BPdGC-Yp5pFAHGs/w480-h640/20221102_213916272_iOS.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i wore my hand-painted jacket of course</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Since I don’t get to visit Manchester very often, I went pretty early on in the day so I could visit some bookshops. My favourites are the <b>Gay Pride Bookshop</b> and <b>Queer Lit</b>. They have such a fantastic range of diverse books and you should definitely check them out if you’re in the area. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisjYg5gDLFOTryShG0o5rhNd31y9xBRdq6rIUIPU5P-enRu5sXZo_w4zZvuOJDu_GHyW-W3rncfBtYTGVxHIUs6VJnUcsppKipoX3pW96cDppch8AodXrQ3I-z6Fwkx1KITn4Zt7X_IL-nFm_A_14oO5CH4sLKzsZk03lw3eOi9zDF7T9s48TBL-1/s750/20221129_153308000_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="750" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisjYg5gDLFOTryShG0o5rhNd31y9xBRdq6rIUIPU5P-enRu5sXZo_w4zZvuOJDu_GHyW-W3rncfBtYTGVxHIUs6VJnUcsppKipoX3pW96cDppch8AodXrQ3I-z6Fwkx1KITn4Zt7X_IL-nFm_A_14oO5CH4sLKzsZk03lw3eOi9zDF7T9s48TBL-1/w640-h634/20221129_153308000_iOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Alice came by to quickly sign a few things at Queer Lit, so I was able to pop back there before the event and <b>picked up a signed copy of my favourite Heartstopper volume</b>, the third instalment! After that, I walked around to the venue to see where the entrance was because I’d never been there before, and I found someone queuing by the main door. Even though there was an hour before doors opened, I thought I might as well just stay there. I’m so glad I did because <b>I met some wonderful fans</b> who showed up just after.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUauvvnecg7c5JwPNKCRWhw0CuNPTvs7BnRU3fGU2rXNTlDGVVUpI_mQiz7Z2CQeUg6vv6DBFFD9XXph21Q_5H7fP1sSyVChIxSTRthJUeIe7uHNoKFu_z1KkNwF8BfFhWrTbzi9BfiVolrXaDaI4FmVjCJ0r7NeD4RCfe4_7TvZDZVAWtiHB8UaR/s3088/20221102_181016125_iOS.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUauvvnecg7c5JwPNKCRWhw0CuNPTvs7BnRU3fGU2rXNTlDGVVUpI_mQiz7Z2CQeUg6vv6DBFFD9XXph21Q_5H7fP1sSyVChIxSTRthJUeIe7uHNoKFu_z1KkNwF8BfFhWrTbzi9BfiVolrXaDaI4FmVjCJ0r7NeD4RCfe4_7TvZDZVAWtiHB8UaR/w640-h480/20221102_181016125_iOS.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I’ve spoken before about how much my<b> anxiety messes with my ability to get out to events and signings</b>, so to find fellow fans who were lovely and welcoming made the day even more memorable. Everyone was up for talking about <b>why they love Alice’s stories and how they discovered them</b> in the first place. I also loved seeing the diverse set of fans that came out to show support - there was no specific age-range that dominated the audience. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iH3sU8Hc86WGKcHh4UAL4Hn9cB-yWhimyZQ4CQ2VLHlOU3YIZY50YAuAFv10HEe51b9tP90snXLtm1lwNe2TGvEgoWlOil4Gls1HguOy1UAjUB475Q67nbK4Wbh0FK8TP696skUI7s-NMDRF8YKzCjbP-gtezWBD_o6DbkYEPJCGaWQiNqDq5Lue/s4032/20221102_190303739_iOS.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iH3sU8Hc86WGKcHh4UAL4Hn9cB-yWhimyZQ4CQ2VLHlOU3YIZY50YAuAFv10HEe51b9tP90snXLtm1lwNe2TGvEgoWlOil4Gls1HguOy1UAjUB475Q67nbK4Wbh0FK8TP696skUI7s-NMDRF8YKzCjbP-gtezWBD_o6DbkYEPJCGaWQiNqDq5Lue/w640-h480/20221102_190303739_iOS.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The host for the evening was the lovely <b>Joel from fictionalfates</b>. He did such a fantastic job of asking all of the right questions, and we could see how much it meant to him to be asked to take part in the event.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alice had a chat about <b>Hearstopper</b> in general for the first half of the evening, talking about the growth of the comic and, of course, <b>the love for the Netflix adaptation</b> that graced our screens back in April. Alice also spoke a little about <b>the future for their career</b>. After the final volume of Heartstopper is released to the world, they want to take a hard-earned break! But the only other thing they’ve been thinking about for the future is a <b>potential sequel to I Was Born For This</b>. Needless to say, I’m very on board with that plan. </div><div><br /></div><div>The second half of the event included <b>audience questions</b>. I didn’t get to submit a question because they had to be typed into a box during the ticket-buying process, and I was so stressed about actually securing the tickets that I didn’t put anything in the box. <b>Oops. </b>But it was exciting to hear what everyone else had asked! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp5LLpYCtMRsNK4E7Pu-pUtCW9AM8I0NGqq6xBIcWqZy5SK8x_7Z28l83BxMQmfFsml0RzEyBYmdpNAjIg_wesmdWZLJumaAjL4MFtEQtZKABvmkY_5AkeJAiAaOtMLk45_4AnpE4JAGFFCi2dU0vrY-t5wx6nZ2TLvY1FmjjMygxTVWU3BJkOHSx/s4032/20221102_200838215_iOS.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp5LLpYCtMRsNK4E7Pu-pUtCW9AM8I0NGqq6xBIcWqZy5SK8x_7Z28l83BxMQmfFsml0RzEyBYmdpNAjIg_wesmdWZLJumaAjL4MFtEQtZKABvmkY_5AkeJAiAaOtMLk45_4AnpE4JAGFFCi2dU0vrY-t5wx6nZ2TLvY1FmjjMygxTVWU3BJkOHSx/w640-h480/20221102_200838215_iOS.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One of the questions Alice answered was about <b>their advice to aspiring illustrators</b>, something I kept a keen ear out for as a fellow artist. They recommended to simply draw what you love rather than focusing on what you feel like you <b>should</b> be drawing. </div><div><br /></div><div>When asked about their recent favourites, <b>Alice said they’re loving Disney Dreamlight Valley</b> at the moment. They’re also reading the ARC for the new novel by Allison Cochrun, which they’re particularly excited about since <b>The Charm Offensive</b> is one of their favourite stories! </div><div><br /></div><div>Alice was asked what her <b>favourite musical moment</b> was in the Heartstopper TV show, since the soundtrack is so adored by all of us. They said that <b>Nick and Charlie’s snow day</b> was the best, and they loved how it came across on screen. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVJaZp3TSciO6aCmfdbNLgoMFdtCmSKTW6FgyvB-KO1DuR5jD0xexFV68kdlFy0UHFc4GmRMkwQKtHTdlwCX_YkFeynXcn92C0pfit9PzYoL4GqFsaC1aIx0sDVfpbcsmeliI0oz8wfeaCfDJ8ARGVFfu9wJA_xAnDrE_5aTpoI8f6jnY7MGK-txT/s4032/20221102_181605213_iOS.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVJaZp3TSciO6aCmfdbNLgoMFdtCmSKTW6FgyvB-KO1DuR5jD0xexFV68kdlFy0UHFc4GmRMkwQKtHTdlwCX_YkFeynXcn92C0pfit9PzYoL4GqFsaC1aIx0sDVfpbcsmeliI0oz8wfeaCfDJ8ARGVFfu9wJA_xAnDrE_5aTpoI8f6jnY7MGK-txT/w480-h640/20221102_181605213_iOS.heic" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I’m thrilled I had the opportunity to see Alice in person after being one of my favourite writers for so long. It was just <b>such a joyful experience</b> and I’m thankful to everyone involved for making it such a memorable day!</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFID7z3rxOQ8n62wgUPOgxc7xOOmUlSS17iEpG6s1y6gAmGpOI9mUmE6wCNDKXIQWIwvcsLZikd8__AWAT0Iy940pbq6qnqS94E9tOuCnF2p0A7TVg8UFnserCRbu_Hvd4eA6wZHAwN1yqpgpoWiUp2Ej8skQn7pjtrB7epASnWBvUnOwV1W16FrlX/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFID7z3rxOQ8n62wgUPOgxc7xOOmUlSS17iEpG6s1y6gAmGpOI9mUmE6wCNDKXIQWIwvcsLZikd8__AWAT0Iy940pbq6qnqS94E9tOuCnF2p0A7TVg8UFnserCRbu_Hvd4eA6wZHAwN1yqpgpoWiUp2Ej8skQn7pjtrB7epASnWBvUnOwV1W16FrlX/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-63523666609001164362022-10-22T17:30:00.002+01:002022-10-22T17:30:20.743+01:00REVIEW: The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas<span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAINMgg9UvUR41yTj73S5RcOjHtcI6bsLq_SIvy6PIJtQFModJ1W3hKLli0-HZzM48MoZgG2YArKGQtA9Qk0Z40XxLOvI5Q2_fVaCmwKbTSnzwrok7Z73Y9EOyOCaQ2hIczKjYoYhFqBuMj6Sy0DLONnJssFqoI96cCtbS-USZN1GDpLTeEPLktweG/s499/62194939.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAINMgg9UvUR41yTj73S5RcOjHtcI6bsLq_SIvy6PIJtQFModJ1W3hKLli0-HZzM48MoZgG2YArKGQtA9Qk0Z40XxLOvI5Q2_fVaCmwKbTSnzwrok7Z73Y9EOyOCaQ2hIczKjYoYhFqBuMj6Sy0DLONnJssFqoI96cCtbS-USZN1GDpLTeEPLktweG/s320/62194939.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><b>Pages: </b></span><span style="text-align: left;">416</span><div><b>Format: </b>Paperback</div><div><b>Publisher:</b> Macmillan</div><div><b>Genre: </b>Fantasy, Mythology</div><div><b>Release Date: </b>September 6th 2022</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol himself as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all―they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years. <div><br /></div><div>Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, has never worried about the Trials…or rather, he’s only worried for others. His best friend Niya―daughter of Tierra, the god of earth―is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is much too likely to be chosen this year. He also can’t help but worry (reluctantly, and under protest) for Aurelio, a powerful Gold semidiós and Teo’s friend-turned-rival who is a shoo-in for the Trials. Teo wouldn’t mind taking Aurelio down a notch or two, but a one-in-ten chance of death is a bit too close for Teo’s taste. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidiós who isn’t a Gold. In fact, he chooses two: Xio, the 13-year-old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and…Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious trials, against opponents who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival. </div></blockquote><div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/s316/The%20Plot.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcVfTCBzzn5NsXbOVxHPhsfmpPg1F62CBjcPT_-EqmHcQA6GI8TScb_sftIrVTFCFKus7yRSwILP79gGqW2yITBCnezKt2sRrT_2aRCC2ElmT55SaMDR9uKBGZgBwQ_hE7ygHzIxZjmZjGwanGmVW9XgWCWJSOQs63pdTNfISJa39x6bCwzXtVMve/w200-h79/The%20Plot.png" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Don’t you just love it when one of your most anticipated reads of the year lives up to your expectations? ME TOO. And thankfully, <b>The Sunbearer Trials</b> was one of those rare, special books for me.
After falling in love with <b>Cemetery Boys</b> a couple of years ago, I’ve been eagerly anticipating Aiden Thomas’ next book. Reading the blurb and seeing the cover art only made me surer that I was going to love it. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_6_ThdlpQo5_seebC98i46EPRXHe09_hevqq2Y-o7-JaLbzTbLwNeJrT2XbJOw2wM-Vv6ACC-OVNxaijaQf_ElSfLmkugTLs41HMmEam3qCm7VbuCRTpBu8B4FoxQ0OO5GJs3auG3ZffNHzHcJirxoWyYzhpFQ9XMITLYaE5AHVrdcfjv18kR3We/s2560/2EC178AB-BF00-4065-9679-209C1A54324F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_6_ThdlpQo5_seebC98i46EPRXHe09_hevqq2Y-o7-JaLbzTbLwNeJrT2XbJOw2wM-Vv6ACC-OVNxaijaQf_ElSfLmkugTLs41HMmEam3qCm7VbuCRTpBu8B4FoxQ0OO5GJs3auG3ZffNHzHcJirxoWyYzhpFQ9XMITLYaE5AHVrdcfjv18kR3We/w640-h480/2EC178AB-BF00-4065-9679-209C1A54324F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This book is set in an alternative world to our own in which selected teenagers born of diosas must compete in the Sunbearer Trials every ten years, with <b>the last-ranked becoming a sacrifice</b> to help keep their world stay protected. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s531/The%20Characters.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJU9D4V56dA8kYQCWqdp71m9kS7wBZFl3Gn7-bwu8Kr1gDIhLK0HLZmdApP_UdCTYmm_GgU4bpmRGRC4-4lMOHvg79U3RLz1My8DYAyu2PP80NmXrD5TFHMxbMzH2qdm2WLdUi0LqkYcMp93NywA29Ao56taeKFz8SQjFQ_o8k8lcX9cQLdjhkEgc/s320/The%20Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The characters in this story are just so fun. I loved getting to know all of them, even the ones that weren’t too friendly. But our main character, <b>Teo</b>, is such a joy to read about! <b>He gets dragged into the trials unexpectedly</b> and takes it all on the chin, doing his best to get through each day and ignore the prejudice of the other competitors who don’t believe that he deserves his place in the trials. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwjNGCcxMzcm5QBBZNsh47VZQ4dGWwaJGz4SQl2-OnjfnU6HZyltQ1cr1mguw2LuhCWknlRHr_yidVngWwsR8vr7bvECbNSmNljqY-9sN2Dos9bbAaETUIv82RKaKj__4QPyStXlqRxFu9ppTCPY3F_W4dFWHFhSMbxpevuosg5Vp-zGyzQti0XF8/s2560/4F8CA4BE-9DD9-453B-911C-C0100F513B75.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwjNGCcxMzcm5QBBZNsh47VZQ4dGWwaJGz4SQl2-OnjfnU6HZyltQ1cr1mguw2LuhCWknlRHr_yidVngWwsR8vr7bvECbNSmNljqY-9sN2Dos9bbAaETUIv82RKaKj__4QPyStXlqRxFu9ppTCPY3F_W4dFWHFhSMbxpevuosg5Vp-zGyzQti0XF8/w640-h480/4F8CA4BE-9DD9-453B-911C-C0100F513B75.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I adored learning about the diosas and their children, getting to know the ins-and-outs of how their world works and their views over the course of the story. <b>Xio</b> was also an interesting character and I’m excited to see what happens with him in the next book. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s571/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMbu9Xh6iUL1EkZKKkgb2uWruHEovAVFE9NYoj_6eII-0LRWtz4jptGJpsq6OZUkoShEWa6cqtHKdCGYLCQ65ikrflPLS9m44oAJu3XbSqYIG7aFOnNhAjJzXyrbBxyu6HxHOJ-L8nSCrfeZKLwP_8TEvE9kQJiqiAdno9d0DA8yoyXU3KO2a6Lb-/s320/Reasons%20To%20Love.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Incredible fantasy world.</b> It’s a world that’s very much like our own, with social media and normal school education for most people, except there are dioses that are accepted in everyday life. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Trials that will leave you on edge. </b>They provide just the right amount of action and suspense. I was biting my nails every time the rankings were revealed! </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Mother of all plot twists. </b>Prepare yourself for the unexpected! </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Q9dskM7KJV2mLP9Mor_9St6VtcxLYOx4je85IPz5Disj8guLLf6FfbcrUzU0jax2dHBzPiTac07LBuO6C_u9LKbfB4gXi084h0zCEUjYtVQSYKC8I5AgfAFoJQFZXhnpYzuy0cg0hTEnlIQY7GjetsGOe0v0-ZV6FVeQmsm6SJ3z6VnwRcCq6NnR/s2427/FA63E2B5-1074-4147-B640-3B1E6AAC9777.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1820" data-original-width="2427" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Q9dskM7KJV2mLP9Mor_9St6VtcxLYOx4je85IPz5Disj8guLLf6FfbcrUzU0jax2dHBzPiTac07LBuO6C_u9LKbfB4gXi084h0zCEUjYtVQSYKC8I5AgfAFoJQFZXhnpYzuy0cg0hTEnlIQY7GjetsGOe0v0-ZV6FVeQmsm6SJ3z6VnwRcCq6NnR/w640-h480/FA63E2B5-1074-4147-B640-3B1E6AAC9777.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s577/final.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="577" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZwUGDnPrwvhb7nBBHtahx0z9IcbxSzrPGTyLbC7TZqreIR7n_Tduc2pUtnwMuAX-nBRjKyIgg2siyZYp-tLHy9qjHvyqv3czjVreBlAEkQe_-7Dh4K75N8chu96dtjIl2-lNj3xGWamctFWLWVXPJFX4z-SWfXE4sptsh2Z3bXFk-Psb0osuWoqd/s320/final.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This is easily a new fave and I cannot wait for the second book in the duology. I’m both nervous and excited to see what awaits the characters after that ending! If you want a fantasy that’s a perfect mix of action and humour, definitely pick this one up next.</div><div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s534/5%20Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRxlvg-YT1ajah79iZtd1Jf7wK9x3kRfMDTGbgHkEgRCgXdd-cC-xI68yrvEvsNhN9NRLBhMFZJMY9Bc578HvrL-cKHZux7VjMpZ7hQDQrbDNytBSeSHhw0cKdQ-7G-fOnFhNi5zlyptZfMrhZsgIuzWcrtSBObTcCrbRYBXka3HB7Q1uPvamOW48/s320/5%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-11721050964065784352022-09-13T11:49:00.003+01:002022-10-22T17:32:34.120+01:00REVIEW: The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyTvmF5rsJ0TIPYlCKDerSdnJUQ4-nAsih_NRpSNaGSZDwc8A-ZgSKoU7gTxmdz4BkyPTyj1wcFtCebKzBb0PMEtD6vmxpxR2YYF2goOwO16ey2yssX4bQSMgq2IqZ4a2lpBdf-SYAwev0WjQtb6apYv1igEaLV_ilPTXlRrTHyew_Ca9KjsjgmXG/s2560/49434060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyTvmF5rsJ0TIPYlCKDerSdnJUQ4-nAsih_NRpSNaGSZDwc8A-ZgSKoU7gTxmdz4BkyPTyj1wcFtCebKzBb0PMEtD6vmxpxR2YYF2goOwO16ey2yssX4bQSMgq2IqZ4a2lpBdf-SYAwev0WjQtb6apYv1igEaLV_ilPTXlRrTHyew_Ca9KjsjgmXG/s320/49434060.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>Pages:</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>352 </span></div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Format: </b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hardback</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><b>Publisher: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; font-weight: normal;">Boyd Mills Press </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><b>Genre: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; font-weight: normal;">Mystery</div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><b>Release Date:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; font-weight: normal;"> May 3rd 2022</div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div style="display: inline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline;"><b>TW: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; font-weight: normal;">Homophobic Abuse</div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Buy the Book: </b><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/search/The-Many-Half-Lived-Lives-of-Sam-Sylvester-Maya-MacGregor/9781635923599" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>In this queer contemporary YA mystery, a nonbinary teen with autism realizes they must not only solve a 30-year-old mystery but also face the demons lurking in their past in order to live a satisfying life.</b></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;">Sam Sylvester's not overly optimistic about their recent move to the small town of Astoria, Oregon after a traumatic experience in their last home in the rural Midwest. </span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;">Yet Sam's life seems to be on the upswing after meeting several new friends and a potential love interest in Shep, the pretty neighbor. However, Sam can't seem to let go of what might have been, and is drawn to investigate the death of a teenage boy in 1980s Astoria. Sam's convinced he was murdered--especially since Sam's investigation seems to resurrect some ghosts in the town. </span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;">Threatening notes and figures hidden in shadows begin to disrupt Sam's life. Yet Sam continues to search for the truth. When Sam discovers that they may be closer to a killer than previously known, Sam has a difficult decision to make. Would they risk their new life for a half-lived one?</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div></div></div></blockquote><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/w200-h79/The+Plot.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;">
You know when you start a book and immediately connect with it? </span><span><b>The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester </b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">was one of those books for me. Within a few chapters, I just knew it was going to be a favourite. It follows Sam as </span><span><b>they move to a new town</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> following an incident with their classmates. But what Sam doesn’t know it that they’re moving into the former house of </span><span><b>Billy</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">, a high school student from the 80s who died under mysterious circumstances.
</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMG6ZlsC5w9V8tN4_incmmjndwVX41SBmFCUb6KWEjHMLiFAS3UT2B2A5e2laHB1JG3FlrbC3iJd0K1GLMsR-ijCxjHyauGbQO6G0UQiXFlWqhxbuf5Cr6BtJwwf1701C0ofNPdOPE5t1m-F93m8W68lza9gR_rBF8rQTGLHt6ofRaTjYVhkIIhbW/s1445/0F6616B4-04C8-4386-8C88-E4F2775272F0.jpeg" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1445" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMG6ZlsC5w9V8tN4_incmmjndwVX41SBmFCUb6KWEjHMLiFAS3UT2B2A5e2laHB1JG3FlrbC3iJd0K1GLMsR-ijCxjHyauGbQO6G0UQiXFlWqhxbuf5Cr6BtJwwf1701C0ofNPdOPE5t1m-F93m8W68lza9gR_rBF8rQTGLHt6ofRaTjYVhkIIhbW/w640-h480/0F6616B4-04C8-4386-8C88-E4F2775272F0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-weight: normal;">
As someone who loves </span><span><b>unsolved mysteries</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">, Sam and their new friends unravelling the secrets of Billy’s death was a perfect plot for me. I loved slowly getting to learn about both Sam and Billy through the course of the story, and there was a creepy atmosphere to the events that gave it almost a </span><span><b>fantasy-like element. </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/w320-h75/The+Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;">
God, I love Sam so much. Their relationship with their father is exactly the type of parent-child relationship we need to see more of in YA. </span><span><b>They worked through problems together</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> and built such a mutual respect for one and other.
<br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Even though he’s not alive when the story is set, </span><span><b>Billy still has such an impact</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">. As a fellow Bowie fan, Billy’s admiration for him made such a lovely little detail, and I loved the focus on the music that Billy loved. Getting to know him makes his death all the more tragic.</span></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/s320/Reasons+To+Love.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span><b>Found family.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Sam goes from a toxic environment in their old town to finding a group of people to love and support them in this new town. It made my heart all fuzzy to see their relationships grow. </span></li></ul></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span><b>Mystery. </b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">So many plot twists to keep you hooked here! I was suspicious of absolutely everyone at one point or another. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span><b>Healing. </b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">The core of this story is Sam’s growth, and them learning to move on from the past. I love stories with a beautiful message behind them.</span></li></ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="613" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/w320-h80/final.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This was a book that I </span><span><b>grew to love even more with each chapter.</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> With a diverse cast of characters and an epic mystery to resolve, there isn’t a dull moment to be found. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a story that has creepy vibes without being a horror. </span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><b>Royal Rating:</b></span></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUw2o-yzewUUzcdqDGhwKrCI5KOSwJ4jo-yJRZyvfu3AVRSV2E8_a1Z9aT6p09L_ZpiWZ8Cjlht3282ofpBRGuWhVeIPJ9V8xsSzWsrkRzj4ZG1d3QOc6N0Lt7lfamLQzKp3jsEFnVmVuUfBhSZJUjUv4rsB9xY0E_bYFiwOwsQKzDqG_t-rgxJaa/s534/5%20Crowns.png" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUw2o-yzewUUzcdqDGhwKrCI5KOSwJ4jo-yJRZyvfu3AVRSV2E8_a1Z9aT6p09L_ZpiWZ8Cjlht3282ofpBRGuWhVeIPJ9V8xsSzWsrkRzj4ZG1d3QOc6N0Lt7lfamLQzKp3jsEFnVmVuUfBhSZJUjUv4rsB9xY0E_bYFiwOwsQKzDqG_t-rgxJaa/s320/5%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="font-weight: bold;"></p></span></div></span>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-44770620415326654552022-07-31T17:49:00.001+01:002022-07-31T17:49:46.677+01:00EVENT RECAP: An Evening With Cassandra ClareYou don’t have to look too far around my bookish platforms to know that the <b>Shadowhunter Chronicles </b>are a huge part of my life as a reader. <b>The Mortal Instruments</b> was one of the first series that really pulled me into YA fantasy and encouraged my descent into the online book community. For over a decade, Cassandra Clare’s novels have been a constant for me. <div><br /></div><div>I’m lucky enough to have met Cassie twice before. The first time was <a href="http://queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/meeting-cassie-clare.html">back in 2012</a> and it was my first ever book signing so I was absolutely petrified. The second time was <a href="http://queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/an-evening-with-cassandra-clare.html">during the promotion for the <b>City of Bones</b> movie</a>, which was a much bigger event. I had a wonderful time at both events, so when I found out Cassie was returning to the UK this year and visiting a city nearby, I just knew I had to go! </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazIyfwvYIPcv7Ctds1JRXjrwWQCa0T3c1jyrHiv_AYgxZ5laNO3S6AMlM1sP6y5ucD37MwyBrqxHPFCMQvFJsm9mW4uBRpQGs8w66TeVxyincj3Lafpd4R29fRrdg01BbSh-JPZ99dMxJb2ehf2XRHFSTLeQxlIJft5OiNuUv8SIB85mOhwwF_O6q/s2507/395EB148-18D6-4081-A78C-7CC0492B980A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="2507" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazIyfwvYIPcv7Ctds1JRXjrwWQCa0T3c1jyrHiv_AYgxZ5laNO3S6AMlM1sP6y5ucD37MwyBrqxHPFCMQvFJsm9mW4uBRpQGs8w66TeVxyincj3Lafpd4R29fRrdg01BbSh-JPZ99dMxJb2ehf2XRHFSTLeQxlIJft5OiNuUv8SIB85mOhwwF_O6q/w640-h426/395EB148-18D6-4081-A78C-7CC0492B980A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chester is one of my fave photography spots</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The event took place in the Storyhouse Theatre in Chester, one of my favourite cities. If you ever get a chance to visit, then you’re in for a treat. Before the talk started, I was able to pick up my exclusive copy of <b>City of Gold</b>, which is absolutely gorgeous. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehaoy_kGHqtExjWRK3dsy6OySTFKoNuEzA950G8XDiWs9vj4vfxOzZ8KyzMy5oYfvrFOcDTnrrA4-f1dXpDeAtTRRAYUUQ5m5DrZtmXfauIMqe4IXt1bOxw778yP8zf5MGwO1YLR0PU6PRYokvbeRf6h0B0BOA_Hciyuj17IVOobCywOqB1ZV2HSj/s1440/099CEFA7-A5F7-4F2B-B3C6-4D0BCD35530D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehaoy_kGHqtExjWRK3dsy6OySTFKoNuEzA950G8XDiWs9vj4vfxOzZ8KyzMy5oYfvrFOcDTnrrA4-f1dXpDeAtTRRAYUUQ5m5DrZtmXfauIMqe4IXt1bOxw778yP8zf5MGwO1YLR0PU6PRYokvbeRf6h0B0BOA_Hciyuj17IVOobCywOqB1ZV2HSj/w640-h640/099CEFA7-A5F7-4F2B-B3C6-4D0BCD35530D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>My seat was quite near to the back, but I still had a perfect view of the stage. There was even an adorable cardboard cutout of the characters featured in <b>The Last Hours</b>, which is the series Cassie was focusing on during this tour. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasVivWecpd39GfkIOraUNP2ypwQQZiMPDAyP8FW46zl8xOcUDXkIwW6TxIILruIJaRaiDraEx57nBCbUrWajmrujptvJYDTFdvBEfBrrtQ8zYSVVJwNYpBp3wGOlZiLHUHphFM7s1suEjWDSREfM1V775gcOsZb4RbrFf-Ny8_H0C_HJxgUxKSmhM/s2991/DAE61632-97FA-4A54-9343-225313F6A462.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2243" data-original-width="2991" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasVivWecpd39GfkIOraUNP2ypwQQZiMPDAyP8FW46zl8xOcUDXkIwW6TxIILruIJaRaiDraEx57nBCbUrWajmrujptvJYDTFdvBEfBrrtQ8zYSVVJwNYpBp3wGOlZiLHUHphFM7s1suEjWDSREfM1V775gcOsZb4RbrFf-Ny8_H0C_HJxgUxKSmhM/w640-h480/DAE61632-97FA-4A54-9343-225313F6A462.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The atmosphere was so welcoming, and everyone was making conversation with each other before the talk started. As someone with social anxiety, it’s always great when I’m in an environment I feel relaxed in, and I was able to chat to the people around me. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first half of the event was an interview with Cassie, discussing the series and what may possibly happen to the characters in the final book. She also spoke about her inspiration when it came to locations and fashion within the story. </div><div><br /></div><div>During the second half, she answered questions submitted from the audience and online viewers.
Cassie also spoke a bit about her upcoming adult novel, <b>Sword Catcher</b>. If I wasn’t sold on it before, I definitely am now. Hearing her describe the story left me desperate to read it because the concept sound so fascinating. Needless to say, I’m excited for it to be released! </div><div><br /></div><div>After the event, there was an opportunity to take a picture with Cassie in a Covid-safe way, using a book-like structure for The Last Hours, which I absolutely adored! It’s such a fun way to take a memorable picture. We were also given signed bookplates for Chain of Gold. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UVGwZorxVu7yUk-_3ntaKNgGFcf5LtAZBQ7qtvgfTrKhZMQ1kQmDv6lGhrdVmYpW_MGmtMGM8JfCClAqkPakBbsmbo11XgM9mvPKOgDcve53rOEggPcUE-F6-x9lgd0r_sz70I1pakkBZmt-_4Zh_HXmZN0M3g1mF8NyJoqpSw2214JKC1ieyKro/s3822/CD384BD2-DC5B-4725-9D2C-EF55210F3605.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="3822" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UVGwZorxVu7yUk-_3ntaKNgGFcf5LtAZBQ7qtvgfTrKhZMQ1kQmDv6lGhrdVmYpW_MGmtMGM8JfCClAqkPakBbsmbo11XgM9mvPKOgDcve53rOEggPcUE-F6-x9lgd0r_sz70I1pakkBZmt-_4Zh_HXmZN0M3g1mF8NyJoqpSw2214JKC1ieyKro/w640-h406/CD384BD2-DC5B-4725-9D2C-EF55210F3605.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxW7mMtygngydUcO5aZiZYrJKI7oIsMy5Z9q0xS6z7p1usLgJIdBFBAlfO5vjKFVLu5RrQREyVQ9wPZWmYqgaEuHa_2v57t2iaTOQYo27jGxdS6qlxvSQHiene0sLwblc_6kC3C3TN-EtLdu_iJ1fW11f9CyJJQmfFiJQjfB8fX4Qf9eRwyz1EwKa/s1440/FEB98C92-6361-40B1-A4AE-79740B81284A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxW7mMtygngydUcO5aZiZYrJKI7oIsMy5Z9q0xS6z7p1usLgJIdBFBAlfO5vjKFVLu5RrQREyVQ9wPZWmYqgaEuHa_2v57t2iaTOQYo27jGxdS6qlxvSQHiene0sLwblc_6kC3C3TN-EtLdu_iJ1fW11f9CyJJQmfFiJQjfB8fX4Qf9eRwyz1EwKa/w640-h640/FEB98C92-6361-40B1-A4AE-79740B81284A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I’m so glad I was able to meet Cassie again. I’m just starting to dip my toes back into book events post-pandemic, and this was organised in a way that helped me feel safe and kept my anxiety at bay. Here’s to hoping I get to make it to more events this year!</div><div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdXv_5nWABio2KRq9JQxW5zTjOs5EMHQbiRsHi0tJJ9ogXpZZQspg5sA3oVfVEADJLQEY8JZm9PUDGbJdqyVJUWY7IaxP6OdLKwQcBq5K4QIC5fEoYEiJrg6jbqjJ2nCfMZQQOD4AlbqBNpMob4-UlSxbCVxZhjJFswRgyV2GNUcYdOSQZcgK7DMY/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdXv_5nWABio2KRq9JQxW5zTjOs5EMHQbiRsHi0tJJ9ogXpZZQspg5sA3oVfVEADJLQEY8JZm9PUDGbJdqyVJUWY7IaxP6OdLKwQcBq5K4QIC5fEoYEiJrg6jbqjJ2nCfMZQQOD4AlbqBNpMob4-UlSxbCVxZhjJFswRgyV2GNUcYdOSQZcgK7DMY/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-8944366753034202522022-07-11T17:11:00.000+01:002022-07-11T17:11:57.771+01:00EVENT RECAP: Wirral Kids Book Fest<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On June 5th, us bookworms in the North got to enjoy the first ever <b>Wirral Kids Book Fest</b>, hosted by <a href="https://bearhuntbooks.co.uk/">Bear Hunt Books </a>with the help of <a href="https://wirralunplugged.org/">Wirral Unplugged</a>. As soon as I found out the festival was happening, I knew I had to sign up as a volunteer! I've never been able to travel to a book festival before, so with one happening right on my doorstep I was determined to help out as much as I could. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3MbmcimZRn7LS5ldrS-zjW7Vbw5Qbak-Xzn3xnHmIX5JbRmJ3Q1yFbRkkM4GtJvRlxPxvMEA1LlIR5LRMqWJSnFJvjJPSIKx7HEUBRjutghHwXDFN7hken7Tu8V6uLJB9NSOEk5wRMW5OO-HpjQS-JQ-yVsUnlA7gKY4GjIzC7En64czxnnvgR-B/s3024/D924A03F-40C0-4242-9BC9-AD3DAF0A25A4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3MbmcimZRn7LS5ldrS-zjW7Vbw5Qbak-Xzn3xnHmIX5JbRmJ3Q1yFbRkkM4GtJvRlxPxvMEA1LlIR5LRMqWJSnFJvjJPSIKx7HEUBRjutghHwXDFN7hken7Tu8V6uLJB9NSOEk5wRMW5OO-HpjQS-JQ-yVsUnlA7gKY4GjIzC7En64czxnnvgR-B/w640-h480/D924A03F-40C0-4242-9BC9-AD3DAF0A25A4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i helped arrange the tables of books we had for sale on the day and of course i created a little Heartstopper section</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The festival took place in the fabulous <a href="https://www.bloombuilding.co.uk/">Bloom Building</a> in Birkenhead, with the profits from food and drink bought on the day going to the mental health charities that the building works with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first slot for the day was a reading of <b>Fantastic Frankie</b> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jessroseIllustrator/">Jess Rose</a>. I was the not-so-glamorous assistant who turned the pages! We then had some activities for the children, alone with some balloon creations for them to play with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CedbMCHk3k3SXkT4jMGQYdWG4r8FIaU_YSJ3osvAW2kQZ1dLDk7uZrgIUxyFDY_YMkWRTmeHMiyXzmIT8x5Z-pLveejiI5uCdEsPCwrD0Pyj6hc4hguYxOsjWSdV340ok5DyO-iCh7rnv82KbPLoJHFEUMa4Tu9C1mFC-0m9ef3fTrdmRjyCgtew/s3024/5ADBC9A5-78B3-437F-B24A-272064213556.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="3024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CedbMCHk3k3SXkT4jMGQYdWG4r8FIaU_YSJ3osvAW2kQZ1dLDk7uZrgIUxyFDY_YMkWRTmeHMiyXzmIT8x5Z-pLveejiI5uCdEsPCwrD0Pyj6hc4hguYxOsjWSdV340ok5DyO-iCh7rnv82KbPLoJHFEUMa4Tu9C1mFC-0m9ef3fTrdmRjyCgtew/w640-h426/5ADBC9A5-78B3-437F-B24A-272064213556.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecYbg_Q6zB0I1iPHaC2vKBwlRsx05QUeIPUm6GD-9l_B6rqAfv23dDNHfAkgxvAWAp0Ic6dCN-bSON9Huq9mSy2DA76nTEMTxfgRUN18KcN9yGRy58x8tCcsEZnCFH6xCHaIGIkp5ZIKpl7zr1ifd8NuHwRX2lh0as5t9SjtDaOCNWX3fs5wJQ0kp/s4032/479A17E3-ADD9-4D92-8B4A-BF510DE07677.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecYbg_Q6zB0I1iPHaC2vKBwlRsx05QUeIPUm6GD-9l_B6rqAfv23dDNHfAkgxvAWAp0Ic6dCN-bSON9Huq9mSy2DA76nTEMTxfgRUN18KcN9yGRy58x8tCcsEZnCFH6xCHaIGIkp5ZIKpl7zr1ifd8NuHwRX2lh0as5t9SjtDaOCNWX3fs5wJQ0kp/w640-h480/479A17E3-ADD9-4D92-8B4A-BF510DE07677.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next event was for <b>Tsunami Girl</b> by <a href="https://www.juliansedgwick.co.uk/">Julian Sedgwick</a>, who gave a fascinating talk about the place and people that inspired the story. I also ended up being the person who volunteered for his little trick at the end! The talk got me super interested in the story so I purchased a copy of the book and got it signed afterwards.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1vOEYCcRSBGvrXopn2mPeLnbRD6hylHg3YgsVK_Smi7O31y1BuWfNbAMkd-xTj8VmzIcMn7jGQkMCRkZQnyx6RnSL8qj8LW88eqgn3E34tqKJLxeI9EcIrJzdJhkRfyF2qmcwnnmJU8AGvpU_APh8po3GjsKYRZVaZN_0mY2KKUWxEzjkEBybGPT/s1279/FAE6E48B-7EBC-45AF-9953-DDE51E3CDBA2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="891" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1vOEYCcRSBGvrXopn2mPeLnbRD6hylHg3YgsVK_Smi7O31y1BuWfNbAMkd-xTj8VmzIcMn7jGQkMCRkZQnyx6RnSL8qj8LW88eqgn3E34tqKJLxeI9EcIrJzdJhkRfyF2qmcwnnmJU8AGvpU_APh8po3GjsKYRZVaZN_0mY2KKUWxEzjkEBybGPT/w446-h640/FAE6E48B-7EBC-45AF-9953-DDE51E3CDBA2.jpeg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next event for the day was a joint talk with <a href="https://www.vashtihardy.com/">Vasti Hardy</a> and <a href="https://jamesnicolbooks.com/">James Nicol</a>. They set up a table filled with props that connections to their books, and invited people up to select one. It was fun to hear about what inspired their characters and stories. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PJH_0QEb_ofj11FF82lK7h8cW4aXO34nqKNocBuzwIpR1ktezMsmGRchsEWUrYmqMw8J-L1i23b54qtkf99XQ_vZRizJcJi9DYefgKNGo99svqqQn6HqZHmjil1n9_RMqUJqGgYmvp0LhNc9XivcZPDxaLuAuLw6ESAVIOHtmK3O8TzE5QXHIssY/s4032/4CE424C8-0642-4A82-9E35-DFD68C84050E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PJH_0QEb_ofj11FF82lK7h8cW4aXO34nqKNocBuzwIpR1ktezMsmGRchsEWUrYmqMw8J-L1i23b54qtkf99XQ_vZRizJcJi9DYefgKNGo99svqqQn6HqZHmjil1n9_RMqUJqGgYmvp0LhNc9XivcZPDxaLuAuLw6ESAVIOHtmK3O8TzE5QXHIssY/w480-h640/4CE424C8-0642-4A82-9E35-DFD68C84050E.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br />We ended the day with a chat from neurodiverse author <a href="https://emilykenny.co.uk/">Emily Kenny</a>, talking about her debut novel <b>The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks</b>. There was a fun section at the end for people to create their own hero or villain for a story. <div><br /></div><div>I'm so glad I decided to volunteer. As anxious as I am, I was less of a mess than I expected to be so I'm proud of myself for being able to help out. It's exciting to finally be having book events close to home, and I can't wait for next year! <br /><br /><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZufT9SG1gPR5UUWJo9iDLVGtM6pYl6O4Fz7iX5uJeUx3IiLDV2hZRd5Y-Gj_4X9mrEqPOL-EN2XqVFpTZOz-7-dy6i_MLDf3BKouhzVx8Ph1ErjFqbRPy4e7AaMTCY5E9iC8_hLsV4yLdvofrXssoIEC90ZhQGK7eKL1f-uTyB3xftXq-p0IqFSN/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZufT9SG1gPR5UUWJo9iDLVGtM6pYl6O4Fz7iX5uJeUx3IiLDV2hZRd5Y-Gj_4X9mrEqPOL-EN2XqVFpTZOz-7-dy6i_MLDf3BKouhzVx8Ph1ErjFqbRPy4e7AaMTCY5E9iC8_hLsV4yLdvofrXssoIEC90ZhQGK7eKL1f-uTyB3xftXq-p0IqFSN/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div><br />KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-64528623497461378492022-05-24T11:39:00.000+01:002022-05-24T11:39:34.938+01:00EVENT RECAP: An Evening With Simon James Green<div style="text-align: left;">From the moment I first picked up <b>Noah Can't Even</b> <a href="http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/2017/05/review-noah-cant-even-by-simon-james.html">back in 2017</a>, I've been an avid fan of Simon James Green's novels. I can't recommended them enough to literally every reader I come across. I've said it time and time again, but his books are ones I desperately wish I'd had back when I was in high school, but I'm so happy that teenagers today get that opportunity. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8tVVCoH8ROfX6dPrMAi9Aac8ABq1A1vXxA3MHx1SQKNXyXNI5oa3FoWDjqtQIAmIoiaJ66BZo6jOlnq0FiVfKau582uYFF7clLK_2sUh0nS7S6OiXCgWaZm35pWbzfpnHgk4wUsTEHhchMK7cLl0_pA85ra-9xvOvK2sjLuKPZSWy3z_XEd-OU5v/s3408/51F647E2-7382-4F9C-A1FE-2B1C3C9B3ECB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3408" data-original-width="2605" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8tVVCoH8ROfX6dPrMAi9Aac8ABq1A1vXxA3MHx1SQKNXyXNI5oa3FoWDjqtQIAmIoiaJ66BZo6jOlnq0FiVfKau582uYFF7clLK_2sUh0nS7S6OiXCgWaZm35pWbzfpnHgk4wUsTEHhchMK7cLl0_pA85ra-9xvOvK2sjLuKPZSWy3z_XEd-OU5v/w490-h640/51F647E2-7382-4F9C-A1FE-2B1C3C9B3ECB.jpeg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With how little I manage to travel, I've never been able to make it to any of Simon's events or signings before, so I was over the moon when I found out he'd be stopping by my favourite local bookshop, <b>Bear Hunt Books</b>! I even ended up painting a little window display for the shop to celebrate. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTStoUPbZ8maPNXtyxNCYKlh4bOPMRFr3620sSsLBKR5IK-QXCQS500Rn4xp-pcAFjn_7Nxu_rLbEZ0QAYwZjQvh8OkUQCn3lIz8vvyRRnTVJd_oc6aaminNeuycbE_aPm-ZOu2rIRSB1FIDqypiLiS1FB3U4NLIXrQLy_d46Q57_KMHJuPMldtoq/s3364/F44597B4-CA3C-4103-B4F0-98FE8BC2DC9D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2523" data-original-width="3364" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTStoUPbZ8maPNXtyxNCYKlh4bOPMRFr3620sSsLBKR5IK-QXCQS500Rn4xp-pcAFjn_7Nxu_rLbEZ0QAYwZjQvh8OkUQCn3lIz8vvyRRnTVJd_oc6aaminNeuycbE_aPm-ZOu2rIRSB1FIDqypiLiS1FB3U4NLIXrQLy_d46Q57_KMHJuPMldtoq/w640-h480/F44597B4-CA3C-4103-B4F0-98FE8BC2DC9D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the event, we got given a fascinating presentation from Simon that covered a range of LGBTQ+ topics such as a brief <b>history on Section 28</b> and discussions about how even though we've come a long way, <b>we still have so much more we need to do</b>. We also spoke about the recent pushbacks Simon has faced after <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwirrtL8iPb3AhXSnVwKHeb_A7wQFnoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fsimonjamesgreen%2Fstatus%2F1501472003513110531%3Flang%3Den&usg=AOvVaw3KsvXwaw2Q-Dvtj9khwZZr">being banned from giving a talk at a Catholic school</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpmIJljAP_h21MOL40k7bF_i6T8NhtgeHiPil0-C3Nr4VfhxAUSbk65vMyChH-wdSSUzHgWWX7lVrQ1jEHUJdBQToE1nnlSyComn21-3Y5ytf0yVCb3t6YWM0Actt2plpIMFBKrOerUO45PaFd1FCjoNRHKniN4x0b-SBUG-w59yzQGLmkyt1fVXE/s3442/5EAA28B6-CB2F-443C-995E-B8A468A4D1FD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3442" data-original-width="2582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpmIJljAP_h21MOL40k7bF_i6T8NhtgeHiPil0-C3Nr4VfhxAUSbk65vMyChH-wdSSUzHgWWX7lVrQ1jEHUJdBQToE1nnlSyComn21-3Y5ytf0yVCb3t6YWM0Actt2plpIMFBKrOerUO45PaFd1FCjoNRHKniN4x0b-SBUG-w59yzQGLmkyt1fVXE/w480-h640/5EAA28B6-CB2F-443C-995E-B8A468A4D1FD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got the chance to chat with Simon and get some books signed after the presentation. I showed a lot of restraint and only took three books with me to the event, something my shoulder is immensely thankful for. But I absolutely had to take my beloved copy of <b>Noah Can't Even</b>, and my personal favourite <b>You're The One That I Want</b>, which was my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsRCk3E1TJ4">top book of 2021</a>. Simon also kindly signed the tote I painted of the cover last year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSdIPap_vlIgYfSbxGeb5UyJ1Chrwqale3iahVgOjzIqRdwh-TvVfBqb1SVjwxgyvG5QbHTnkyfQUZQhb7NeOElXyMPKgySSsfMkqRDvCAgQnaCt5HQR49R-nta2N8mOY3YNZiXRV3f4w_sP8DAJ09OSvS7hZFakr5AzpZU7g84H_IDO3ZX8nC_iJ/s2719/9BCBDB3F-08E2-45C3-8CD7-1261E1154BA5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="2719" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSdIPap_vlIgYfSbxGeb5UyJ1Chrwqale3iahVgOjzIqRdwh-TvVfBqb1SVjwxgyvG5QbHTnkyfQUZQhb7NeOElXyMPKgySSsfMkqRDvCAgQnaCt5HQR49R-nta2N8mOY3YNZiXRV3f4w_sP8DAJ09OSvS7hZFakr5AzpZU7g84H_IDO3ZX8nC_iJ/w640-h480/9BCBDB3F-08E2-45C3-8CD7-1261E1154BA5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ChQcJvPbMfm5f7ipY8VWD-_GVPtvl5zW7URoUTDpqty1ZUn5E_r7tiGyjqsIb_tBnPOV5hdpagJsg_fcnwoLns4ciSoh0rqDozxLlir7wPdghqGcARugBypXWVZRkl_qFhRtxXRgatP8hQdkgNdV24cfqgD56ritMnpHM7C-QvEZehfnoJRzKGkV/s2914/7816AA5E-113F-4CEC-B4E3-B1617B520BAA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2185" data-original-width="2914" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ChQcJvPbMfm5f7ipY8VWD-_GVPtvl5zW7URoUTDpqty1ZUn5E_r7tiGyjqsIb_tBnPOV5hdpagJsg_fcnwoLns4ciSoh0rqDozxLlir7wPdghqGcARugBypXWVZRkl_qFhRtxXRgatP8hQdkgNdV24cfqgD56ritMnpHM7C-QvEZehfnoJRzKGkV/w640-h480/7816AA5E-113F-4CEC-B4E3-B1617B520BAA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My copy of <b>Gay Club!</b> was already pre-signed signed from the preorder, but it was given the adorable Gay Club stamp!</div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2Kd_OWpoZvjqUi0T8kLwP9wQrCi10rkPeIhuB7RvWP4LaUkKEHMiddCHOZIi23WJxMsTarBP1VDNjp7T3pnR91nr1OHW0Ubo1dtkqhpEYCZMKJ-ueqWZ9tb2Qm_IjSW_ivExNtBMCUTHRlqhnSiGjz3XpZVBp-eWuGSN3Km6KUCIFeaXmAeJLYNt/s2739/6F7AEAFA-1D0F-4CBD-B957-108ED19BF52F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="2739" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2Kd_OWpoZvjqUi0T8kLwP9wQrCi10rkPeIhuB7RvWP4LaUkKEHMiddCHOZIi23WJxMsTarBP1VDNjp7T3pnR91nr1OHW0Ubo1dtkqhpEYCZMKJ-ueqWZ9tb2Qm_IjSW_ivExNtBMCUTHRlqhnSiGjz3XpZVBp-eWuGSN3Km6KUCIFeaXmAeJLYNt/w640-h480/6F7AEAFA-1D0F-4CBD-B957-108ED19BF52F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I had such a fantastic evening and I'm utterly grateful to Simon for being so lovely, and to Bear Hunt Books for making it happen. It was my first book event since pre-pandemic times so it was great to get back out there! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bearhuntbooks.co.uk">Bear Hunt Books</a> has signed copies of Simon's books available in store, so pop in if you can!<br /><br /><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw1scvdWOiZjqkYpwOVl651C6FmaCKkmKYnw4eIWH3weyzrFZg9uf2_dUKW9EyxJm8zPBnmKh5PV5r9k-8Z2kwtdfxMRubcg52eUwAdqpzgQ6jyD2uX23xPjv0Y1Ju8le_uVtZC1iyDZc-3JxF4WThJVyPmVHL1GcrfeDXfaZ9w3yWv_Arr3egCEo/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw1scvdWOiZjqkYpwOVl651C6FmaCKkmKYnw4eIWH3weyzrFZg9uf2_dUKW9EyxJm8zPBnmKh5PV5r9k-8Z2kwtdfxMRubcg52eUwAdqpzgQ6jyD2uX23xPjv0Y1Ju8le_uVtZC1iyDZc-3JxF4WThJVyPmVHL1GcrfeDXfaZ9w3yWv_Arr3egCEo/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div><br />KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-72976754025462771072022-05-18T13:53:00.002+01:002022-10-22T17:32:49.670+01:00REVIEW: Gay Club! by Simon James Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2mIWRwt2yRUoAqtH0iwJ_OIfN-8ZPT0E-GGGLBewfBYh0_E3H7ppIPJwZ09c8xHGd7LY5oPY9wvgeFBVIo9Wdqw_7jjJjGInfImVASI2kFdRP6b09Gzipxy7GnJvHK7SE590Xk1fYmw7sZ05UPoelt3VYLgqmnxY37Q7KjgDxKvvXb09AHQtRea_/s475/60286457._SY475_.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2mIWRwt2yRUoAqtH0iwJ_OIfN-8ZPT0E-GGGLBewfBYh0_E3H7ppIPJwZ09c8xHGd7LY5oPY9wvgeFBVIo9Wdqw_7jjJjGInfImVASI2kFdRP6b09Gzipxy7GnJvHK7SE590Xk1fYmw7sZ05UPoelt3VYLgqmnxY37Q7KjgDxKvvXb09AHQtRea_/s320/60286457._SY475_.jpeg" width="210" /></a></div>Pages:</b><b> </b>432</div>
<b>Format:</b> Paperback<br />
<div>
<b>Publisher: </b>Scholastic<br />
<b>Genre: </b> Contemporary<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>May 5th 2022<br />
<div>
<b>Buy the Book: </b><a href="https://bearhuntbooks.co.uk/products/gay-club?_pos=1&_sid=ca62db242&_ss=r" target="_blank">Bear Hunt Books</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText3468471075631548732"></span></div>
<blockquote><span id="freeText4243207963809668210" style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Barney's a shoo-in for his school's LGBTQ+ Society President at the club's next election. But when the vote is opened up to the entire student body, the whole school starts paying attention. How low will the candidates go to win? Buckle up for some serious shade, scandals and sleazy shenanigans. It isn't long before it's National Coming Out Day - for everyone's secrets!
<br /><br />
But when the group faces an expected threat - and a big opportunity - can the club members put politics aside and stand united?
<br /><br />
Simon James Green is the award-winning author of a number of beloved LGBTQ+ YA novels, including NOAH CAN'T EVEN, HEARTBREAK BOYS and YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT.
Perfect for fans of GLEE, HEARTSTOPPER, and BOYFRIEND MATERIAL</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/w200-h79/The+Plot.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Me, here to yell about how much I love the latest Simon James Green novel? Shocking, I know. As someone who is <b>always</b> screaming from the rooftops about how much I adore Simon’s novels, it’s a surprise to absolutely no one that <b>Gay Club! </b>was one of my most anticipated stories of the year. I immediately dropped everything once my copy popped through the letterbox. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6rnglvR_Yw6-_nKKjbQx_4nmHYeOClImu9k-VnuAhIxE87-ssKYhPQuQSjVb6q2T2AcX8r7VpAznU3mv6vgRY6qJXWbOVnl22izghBn9cOaF51xleYafxZxYS4kHW9ULolHSFkpoojgZlLv6aWAeUDBagP_Db6IL-BoxtIMnSTy0gqb43S0g-hEY/s3855/E2CA66C1-C995-480B-92EB-894F16C24329.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="3855" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6rnglvR_Yw6-_nKKjbQx_4nmHYeOClImu9k-VnuAhIxE87-ssKYhPQuQSjVb6q2T2AcX8r7VpAznU3mv6vgRY6qJXWbOVnl22izghBn9cOaF51xleYafxZxYS4kHW9ULolHSFkpoojgZlLv6aWAeUDBagP_Db6IL-BoxtIMnSTy0gqb43S0g-hEY/w640-h480/E2CA66C1-C995-480B-92EB-894F16C24329.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>
The concept of having a <b>race for the president of an LGBTQ+ society</b> was something that drew me in as soon as I read the blurb, especially since I’m constantly searching for stories that openly discuss the wide range of sexuality and gender labels. <b>Gay Club!</b> gave me everything I was looking for and more. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/w320-h75/The+Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
Our main character, <b>Barney</b>, is the definition of a cinnamon roll. I admired his determination to make everyone feel part of something, and <b>his speeches throughout the story completely warmed my heart</b>. The back and forth between Barney’s competitor, <b>Bronte</b>, and one of his best friends, <b>Maya</b>, provided the <b>lovers-to-enemies-to-reluctantly-working-together</b> trope that I needed. Bronte and Barney’s race for president lead the humour-filled drama in the first half of the story.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>
Danny Orlando</b> was a particular favourite character of mine. As the popular footballer in the school, I adored his more complicated journey throughout the story and felt so proud of him by the final chapter. He’s a perfect example of <b>how confusing it is to figure out who you are</b> and what you stand for.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqudcjSEorGTJ8x4uSAakLD1Z79WvuSQYfHpnvzfs_bU_yOqDDlXEQjFy0vWltdpT7wKBFT_sgYiwTIMzD70ocn61axhHAv3A8tUXUJ89Bi9V_w41fETNMZvHrYPmgOxVmYRlsOdOrSx4YLakt8Cyt1ZpurQYvkIBvP_iJ36_oAspdfXLnjAy00Zw/s3024/76D38DE6-878D-4E07-BB69-B9B45CB091C5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqudcjSEorGTJ8x4uSAakLD1Z79WvuSQYfHpnvzfs_bU_yOqDDlXEQjFy0vWltdpT7wKBFT_sgYiwTIMzD70ocn61axhHAv3A8tUXUJ89Bi9V_w41fETNMZvHrYPmgOxVmYRlsOdOrSx4YLakt8Cyt1ZpurQYvkIBvP_iJ36_oAspdfXLnjAy00Zw/w640-h480/76D38DE6-878D-4E07-BB69-B9B45CB091C5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div><div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/s320/Reasons+To+Love.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>TWISTS AND TURNS.</b> When I say I couldn’t predict a single thing in this story, I mean it! I genuinely had no idea what wild and hilarious event would occur next.</li></ul></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>CHARACTERS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH. </b>These characters are going to stay with me for a long time. It’s impossible not to love their friendship group. Where’s my squad who cooks food for each other during weekly movie nights? </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>IMPORTANT MOMENTS.</b> Whilst Gay Club! is filled with the comedy writing we’ve come to expect from Simon, there are scenes that provide a harsh reminder of how far we still have go when it comes to acceptance. There’s a particular scene during a game of football that broke my heart because it’s all too real for so many young queer people.</li></ul><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXUckSeNKO-4cN4OjQ0vbfiT35KwWQEnrGcMgFfsJMcXq4n0DejUfPWBSgO3ogPjeMYkmu-DIvnhJcPT1x0vtOZencdV7QlghyLeoQR24T4ZjNYEGTil-BARrpfQhjK7OrIki6Rk3akNnNZ25GxTKuL3KjggPfzjxl9SjbbxRt6T_ZscuyXtJ7lhQ/s3024/0BC6AB63-BDD6-4F92-B881-63F14AFA497B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXUckSeNKO-4cN4OjQ0vbfiT35KwWQEnrGcMgFfsJMcXq4n0DejUfPWBSgO3ogPjeMYkmu-DIvnhJcPT1x0vtOZencdV7QlghyLeoQR24T4ZjNYEGTil-BARrpfQhjK7OrIki6Rk3akNnNZ25GxTKuL3KjggPfzjxl9SjbbxRt6T_ZscuyXtJ7lhQ/w640-h480/0BC6AB63-BDD6-4F92-B881-63F14AFA497B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="613" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/w320-h80/final.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t stress enough how important stories like this one are in helping young people to <b>feel like they belong</b>. My expectations were high, and yet it still managed to go above and beyond! With such a fun cast of characters and <b>packed full of inspiring messages</b>, Gay Club! is easily my favourite read of the year so far.</div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating:</b></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNdwYHkLt1x5asivRDI108EkERBVWcuHkxVVyIyeIWCz4J-ak7ppKjBWjdiUm4ngsRIkYoG2cK8ntW3yOqAN6xJTCu8FeqwzsF408i6uS86k-rngaEaTApaoHTGOe_AaX-mAcASB3kig/s534/5+Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNdwYHkLt1x5asivRDI108EkERBVWcuHkxVVyIyeIWCz4J-ak7ppKjBWjdiUm4ngsRIkYoG2cK8ntW3yOqAN6xJTCu8FeqwzsF408i6uS86k-rngaEaTApaoHTGOe_AaX-mAcASB3kig/s320/5+Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /> <p></p>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-27508675731742588562022-05-11T15:50:00.007+01:002022-05-11T15:53:17.660+01:00Painting a Heartstopper Window Graphic<p>How are we all holding up after Heartstopper? Personally, I gave myself a headache from crying on the morning it first aired and I've already done a complete rewatch. I don't have words to describe how important this story is to so many people, and how I wish I'd had it when I was a teenager. If you're interested in my full thoughts, then my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftVzoi09WQ&t=65s">discussion video is over on my Booktube Channel</a>! </p><p>So whilst I was busy sobbing my heart out over how perfect the adaptation was, I got an incredible opportunity from my favourite bookshop, <a href="https://bearhuntbooks.co.uk">Bear Hunt Books</a>. Last year, I painted the cover for the first Heartstopper graphic novel onto one of my denim jackets and I got an overwhelming amount of love for it on social media. I've since painted a few Heartstopper related things! When the shop reached out to me about painting a window graphic, I was so excited to give it a try.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">i spent most of yesterday painting a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Heartstopper?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Heartstopper</a> jacket! i’m going to be wearing it everywhere for the foreseeable future 💕 <a href="https://t.co/NweHEB3LLv">pic.twitter.com/NweHEB3LLv</a></p>— katie 🍂 (@KatieBookQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieBookQueen/status/1420712021805445121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p></p><p>I could use to help me get the sizing right. I had a huge, paper Nick and Charlie lying on my floor for a week, scaring the life out of unsuspecting family members.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw5H9LjVnj2qp8xTCYeFBbPDtiZO-vws16Q2KyVjAiLFJ18PJ5y444x_IfZdytP0qSWCsCo4aVYa12xtFIhSy4kV0M-GOXHER4sMwv39p689iZTTrdenI9Bj6qOvnPYz3DHHJmZwNBAttS8SKcGkIraytxwu-h9_oIwtNDg-pz10stM5zT1NqFiuR/s908/0FBFE95C-A7DD-4A1C-B9D5-C0CCCBF13D60.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw5H9LjVnj2qp8xTCYeFBbPDtiZO-vws16Q2KyVjAiLFJ18PJ5y444x_IfZdytP0qSWCsCo4aVYa12xtFIhSy4kV0M-GOXHER4sMwv39p689iZTTrdenI9Bj6qOvnPYz3DHHJmZwNBAttS8SKcGkIraytxwu-h9_oIwtNDg-pz10stM5zT1NqFiuR/s320/0FBFE95C-A7DD-4A1C-B9D5-C0CCCBF13D60.jpeg" width="264" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I worked on the window with chunky Posca pens. Although I usually use Posca for detailing on my fabric paint projects, using them on glass was a completely different experience and I definitely panicked that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. But here's the finished result!<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNyYpz8u0CEu_gOFAfVcLzZ_OOcA8n0U0RGuAAiofumNGKhINcvj3A6ufHpUb2y7uQplIk4rbNZadf2ClTGxrDkiwRh3PO-n3mW_JZbGjDOOUfhmnfEkyj7MJAts6XDScVY_wR5JupgDYc-Ij_7sYfSq6Hp5JncOH2Z_e4pJLtF99MUnUTrNekjwY/s4032/C5420891-A350-4EE7-9A69-8154E35F123F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNyYpz8u0CEu_gOFAfVcLzZ_OOcA8n0U0RGuAAiofumNGKhINcvj3A6ufHpUb2y7uQplIk4rbNZadf2ClTGxrDkiwRh3PO-n3mW_JZbGjDOOUfhmnfEkyj7MJAts6XDScVY_wR5JupgDYc-Ij_7sYfSq6Hp5JncOH2Z_e4pJLtF99MUnUTrNekjwY/w480-h640/C5420891-A350-4EE7-9A69-8154E35F123F.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPINWISQFGEsgrAUs9andfaOiRqjM4C2l4wWqF8IJllTDB6Cb24Fq8y6u_wqarvFGiyTr_UcTyRLpaEyFdKXkEzldNO73ts3CE4UR95TAYvMhoQT2mGpWQxjqDf6XvqUQS0IcB6_-pXQChN-Y9NHuvleZ2JnhDW22KJdlyrWWsAoJdbih77Bv8gXd5/s1547/B0CE27F2-1B18-4390-AF7C-65970CA44C9F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPINWISQFGEsgrAUs9andfaOiRqjM4C2l4wWqF8IJllTDB6Cb24Fq8y6u_wqarvFGiyTr_UcTyRLpaEyFdKXkEzldNO73ts3CE4UR95TAYvMhoQT2mGpWQxjqDf6XvqUQS0IcB6_-pXQChN-Y9NHuvleZ2JnhDW22KJdlyrWWsAoJdbih77Bv8gXd5/w596-h640/B0CE27F2-1B18-4390-AF7C-65970CA44C9F.jpeg" width="596" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used my templates by sticking them outside and drawing the lines from the inside. I didn't take into account how the thickness of the glass would change the way I'd have to draw, so I winged it a little but I'm super happy with how it looks! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiBpZt9h226e5yYvVCe8kvEu417VrFWtyXH_fKkzbs18MvtIqOJP1yidOsZnE_F2OiOWDjt-un4OgABs30ey6nLP2LB7ponYzoXPZ25cl0N6J0SzmfjjRNh_s4cMJuDSZrAtmKdRg6WVHik5GrPMWZJys4_4ljovq0WHXcFaFL0bgEKx_A45E5Orj/s1547/0751C71F-C391-4EED-B6DE-F19C76632C54.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiBpZt9h226e5yYvVCe8kvEu417VrFWtyXH_fKkzbs18MvtIqOJP1yidOsZnE_F2OiOWDjt-un4OgABs30ey6nLP2LB7ponYzoXPZ25cl0N6J0SzmfjjRNh_s4cMJuDSZrAtmKdRg6WVHik5GrPMWZJys4_4ljovq0WHXcFaFL0bgEKx_A45E5Orj/w596-h640/0751C71F-C391-4EED-B6DE-F19C76632C54.jpeg" width="596" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL1GV_cd9iXUoGqLVjQ-jc3RQf-tRRptp9V8Jepc_C71uMaQyCW9ZbJpbaU_LvnsHA3TW7MowoQE9gQFD86qpu6gRcCmZ85YI2A0z9kB_oo5YH4seIQaFjs0OyA9WdBKCVSN6vp2GA6jJh18IjjGdHdKa4Tr-oetRW-7qOu4X0zMTf2acjy193MWo/s1187/7BF6AAE9-6A3B-478F-B252-5242D20D14F2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1102" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL1GV_cd9iXUoGqLVjQ-jc3RQf-tRRptp9V8Jepc_C71uMaQyCW9ZbJpbaU_LvnsHA3TW7MowoQE9gQFD86qpu6gRcCmZ85YI2A0z9kB_oo5YH4seIQaFjs0OyA9WdBKCVSN6vp2GA6jJh18IjjGdHdKa4Tr-oetRW-7qOu4X0zMTf2acjy193MWo/w594-h640/7BF6AAE9-6A3B-478F-B252-5242D20D14F2.jpeg" width="594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sitting proudly outside my first window graphic<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
I absolutely loved getting the opportunity to challenge myself and share some Heartstopper wholesomeness, so a huge thank you to Bear Hunt Books for letting me give it a try. If you happen to be in the area, please pop down and check the place out - be sure to show me any pics! <div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bear Hunt Books is also hosting the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjnyaSi19f3AhXznFwKHTk5BrkQFnoECAcQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbearhuntbooks.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Fnews%2Fwirral-kids-book-festival&usg=AOvVaw1cjqELzkXWHgBVUPnPj3bh">Wirral Kids Book Fest</a> on June 5th, with some fantastic author events including a limited workshop with YA writer Cynthia Murphy, so <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjnyaSi19f3AhXznFwKHTk5BrkQFnoECAYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketsource.co.uk%2FWirral-Kids-Book-Festival&usg=AOvVaw157O9p0b-aVROB1ch2RQAT">grab yourself a ticket</a> if you can, and I'll see you there!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vzOxKgD2BUaFWHmxAmPMt9NcJy2fm49_Rg5nzxDFou1w844uPe2LxOS7ptMY1yD0zUhPKUgMXBkAU07Ba1GjxvEkQbFsTyYEa2CO7RT0m8AlXvvDKgX8z3BM5BKcP2ij4RapWO-mv-sI7UzHXxr9lY1ACfQtdPPJb-vdYBqZrrTp87hetMcyb-JZ/s110/Smal%20Sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vzOxKgD2BUaFWHmxAmPMt9NcJy2fm49_Rg5nzxDFou1w844uPe2LxOS7ptMY1yD0zUhPKUgMXBkAU07Ba1GjxvEkQbFsTyYEa2CO7RT0m8AlXvvDKgX8z3BM5BKcP2ij4RapWO-mv-sI7UzHXxr9lY1ACfQtdPPJb-vdYBqZrrTp87hetMcyb-JZ/s1600/Smal%20Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-10775861000096009892022-02-17T15:28:00.005+00:002022-05-18T13:35:35.355+01:00REVIEW: If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrdE592xG50JlBkYSScOLN76A0zd_JenTrCM6OwNW5jSjE9xIrhkzA_sB2Y4KnNcJwBEXkk6AWZgkFoZZ7FykgsafuSZzcxxl_RB-L8PPg3nVu1oC41TrS-dAi67a5AxLEPEbOOXfk-Mc6t3tQ5-WmergOsL6ZTwRKhpDA9mZeddn1HNAjefddFDG7=s2462" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2462" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrdE592xG50JlBkYSScOLN76A0zd_JenTrCM6OwNW5jSjE9xIrhkzA_sB2Y4KnNcJwBEXkk6AWZgkFoZZ7FykgsafuSZzcxxl_RB-L8PPg3nVu1oC41TrS-dAi67a5AxLEPEbOOXfk-Mc6t3tQ5-WmergOsL6ZTwRKhpDA9mZeddn1HNAjefddFDG7=s320" width="208" /></a></div>Pages:</b> 416<br />
<b>Format:</b> Paperback<br />
<div>
<b>Publisher: </b>Hodder Children's<br />
<b>Genre: </b> Contemporary<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>January 6th 2022<br />
<div>
<b>Buy the Book: </b><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/search/If-This-Gets-Out-Sophie-Gonzales-Cale-Dietrich/9781444963793" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText3468471075631548732"></span></div>
<blockquote><span id="freeText4243207963809668210" style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Eighteen-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two members of the boy-band Saturday, one of the biggest acts in America. Along with their bandmates, Angel Phan and Jon Braxton, the four are teen heartbreakers in front of the cameras and best friends backstage. But privately, cracks are starting to form: their once-easy rapport is straining under the pressures of fame, and Ruben confides in Zach that he’s feeling smothered by management’s pressure to stay in the closet.
<br /><br />
On a whirlwind tour through Europe, with both an unrelenting schedule and minimal supervision, Ruben and Zach come to rely on each other more and more, and their already close friendship evolves into a romance. But when they decide they’re ready to tell their fans and live freely, Zach and Ruben start to truly realize that they will never have the support of their management. How can they hold tight to each other when the whole world seems to want to come between them?</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/w200-h79/The+Plot.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div><br /></div><div>
Over the past few years, I have fallen down the rabbit hole that is <b>boyband books.</b> I never used to enjoy them very much, but ever since I discovered KPOP, I’ve been interested in reading books that focus on musical artists and fandom, both the good and ugly side of the industry. So it’s a surprise to absolutely no one that from the second I read the blurb for <b>If This Gets Out</b>, I was desperate to read it.
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book is a split POV between two members of the band <b>Saturday</b>, Ruben and Zack. Ruben is out to his family and friends, but management for the band won’t allow him to be out publicly. He’s dealing with that decision in his own way until his friendship with Zack develops into an unexpected romance, and <b>the two of them are forced to think about their futures as public figures</b>, and how it affects their personal lives.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhww2GtHwYE2fpkXFDhlAQXe3D5FLe5uFAa8gUoBOuis22bNtqk6X1l1V7uJqjB0NE4yaoIqbLJPaODVVxUhnCuBrOMppcZbLytgnEANg3-uZbYyDimYdRgwCJpR0g2P43u2_1ANCLQuj6g4DulvsTBDciVdfEBCbMDlv9l6oegoXnFIOxrc8e-C4Hn=s2148" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="2148" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhww2GtHwYE2fpkXFDhlAQXe3D5FLe5uFAa8gUoBOuis22bNtqk6X1l1V7uJqjB0NE4yaoIqbLJPaODVVxUhnCuBrOMppcZbLytgnEANg3-uZbYyDimYdRgwCJpR0g2P43u2_1ANCLQuj6g4DulvsTBDciVdfEBCbMDlv9l6oegoXnFIOxrc8e-C4Hn=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/w320-h75/The+Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
My favourite character in this book switched every few chapters. I JUST LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH. I appreciated the contrast in each member’s personality and experiences. Ruben has known he’s gay for a long time and is confident in his sexuality. But Zack has always believed himself to be straight, so his story revolved more around him coming to terms with the fact that he’s attracted to Ruben and might label himself bisexual.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our other and members, Angel and Jon, are just as loveable in their different ways. Getting to know more about Angel’s troubles and feeling increasingly worried for him was one of the more heartbreaking aspects of the story that had me dreading yet eagerly awaiting the next chapter. </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYzsFD4nKXbqJeZYIk1cLZw_VC7vjp1V5JAHg3wyWW6-jVNPMkup9dgWzCtWNsAaMAVWpKFh_eCHpRVaDkWmbmZNCCBo3pE3zEugX-3JE7_ME_uszHg0kPMFIOy-mnZShOzi8hbSNwylX50vca3Vpe5IadjqHM0eOsRCphO3zg3FyEWD3v-2Mz5eLo=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYzsFD4nKXbqJeZYIk1cLZw_VC7vjp1V5JAHg3wyWW6-jVNPMkup9dgWzCtWNsAaMAVWpKFh_eCHpRVaDkWmbmZNCCBo3pE3zEugX-3JE7_ME_uszHg0kPMFIOy-mnZShOzi8hbSNwylX50vca3Vpe5IadjqHM0eOsRCphO3zg3FyEWD3v-2Mz5eLo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/s320/Reasons+To+Love.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>FICTIONAL BOY BAND. </b>Need I say more? </li></ul></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Discussions about the industry. </b>Saturday is a fictional band, but there are plenty of harsh truths to be found within the pages of this book. The entertainment industry still has a lot of changes to make when it comes to diversity and allowing artists to be true to themselves.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Fandom positivity. </b>I’ve read plenty of stories about bands, and a lot of them tend to focus on the negative side of fans. Whilst it’s obviously important to discuss the toxic mindset that can exist amongst a fanbase, it was refreshing to see that the fans within this story weren’t painted in a completely bad light.</li></ul><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="613" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/w320-h80/final.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This book was such an enjoyable and wholesome read, and I loved getting to know the characters. It also gave us a darker look into the industry and common problems that artists in the public eye must face. I was swept away by Saturday and I loved every second of it! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating:</b></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3zL8fGdHs6z-tkO-6FvtKs4vIQxSvvGODngT0hWYLAJb6L13SenYvPU8izCEXozsC6bbw-TptskXwCZi4CNp5tiNu_LTc0MB3PX1dTumDzOv39hXdCHuI6rvilKgx4jN4a1PaUXYoR3DbOvPmdj9Evnn-GmtI0jJSNVY1WL_CooIShVDPVtvIWSD/s646/4%20Crowns.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="646" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3zL8fGdHs6z-tkO-6FvtKs4vIQxSvvGODngT0hWYLAJb6L13SenYvPU8izCEXozsC6bbw-TptskXwCZi4CNp5tiNu_LTc0MB3PX1dTumDzOv39hXdCHuI6rvilKgx4jN4a1PaUXYoR3DbOvPmdj9Evnn-GmtI0jJSNVY1WL_CooIShVDPVtvIWSD/s320/4%20Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p></p></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-4381058695593381442022-01-26T06:00:00.001+00:002022-01-26T06:00:00.220+00:00BLOG TOUR: The Worry Tree from Queer Up by Alexis CaughtHello, my fellow bookworms! Today is my stop of the blog tour for <b>Queer Up</b> by Alexis Caught, a guide for LGBTQ+ and questioning people, as well as those who are curious and want to learn more. I’m so happy to be able to take part in the tour for this wonderful book because it’s packed with stuff that is close to my heart. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJWtfWldcogggKUKXIdpo6x1EoVRMzd13zSYqNXoRs4hELAp1dx0lb4bItBdUtieIjrwDTblYUz8LQE5ngiF2b_Sbh_jMiw_r-WOXOC3663PzS8eeJliSKEzc4ObjNkfTdWz0Afig24Zsw1w0N0KG4f__5SqtDvt8TZwsLfxKIAPULbngQt5USlVzX=s2339" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJWtfWldcogggKUKXIdpo6x1EoVRMzd13zSYqNXoRs4hELAp1dx0lb4bItBdUtieIjrwDTblYUz8LQE5ngiF2b_Sbh_jMiw_r-WOXOC3663PzS8eeJliSKEzc4ObjNkfTdWz0Afig24Zsw1w0N0KG4f__5SqtDvt8TZwsLfxKIAPULbngQt5USlVzX=s320" width="208" /></a></div><div><blockquote>In this empowering and uplifting book, award-winning podcaster Alexis Caught sets out to help queer and curious teenagers explore their LGBTQ+ identity and understanding. Alongside the author's personal experiences are first-hand stories from notable LGBTQ+ figures, providing a inclusive account of what it means to grow up queer. With chapters on questioning, coming out, friends and family, love, sex, shame, pride and allyship, this is insightful, thoughtful and reassuring book is essential reading for any questioning teen and their allies looking to support them. </blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>The aspect of this book I’m going to be discussing today is an exercise named <b>The Worry Tree</b>, a perfect tool for those of us who find ourselves overthinking and worrying more than what is typical. </div><div><br /></div><div>It’s something I talk about frequently on my blog and social media, but <b>I’ve suffered with mental health issues throughout my teens and adulthood</b>. It was something that I didn’t even begin to understand until I saw discussions on social media and realised that the things I was feeling had labels and reasons. I would definitely say that <b>my confusion over sexuality contributed to that in some way</b>. Growing up, I felt like I was the odd one out because I wasn’t following the same sort of paths as my peers. The older I got and the more I learned, I was able to answer some of the questions I’ve always had about my sexuality. Not all of them just yet, but that’s okay. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimfw9zBItdjO4DUuzvWsONX6gNbknh6KGwH3wIIwtXxxJ8fQIJlUksvQRBm1mjUMQ8vojpbAHgmJJkZ0NCZt1vA01ir-WkI7sS8XLSvjY4-xBX-k3Q01wTREFtwZ_hxxvP5M7H5KrkN8Ac_0W4r3fvesS5Az0OC0aoI3kkqFY3kI8b6xNO71cYB77h=s1080" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimfw9zBItdjO4DUuzvWsONX6gNbknh6KGwH3wIIwtXxxJ8fQIJlUksvQRBm1mjUMQ8vojpbAHgmJJkZ0NCZt1vA01ir-WkI7sS8XLSvjY4-xBX-k3Q01wTREFtwZ_hxxvP5M7H5KrkN8Ac_0W4r3fvesS5Az0OC0aoI3kkqFY3kI8b6xNO71cYB77h=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The Worry Tree is a tool to help us break our worries up into smaller, more controllable chunks. It’s similar to tasks I was given during my time in CBT, and those tasks helped calm me and feel like I could handle things a bit more. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’m so glad I was able to take part in this tour and have the opportunity to read <b>Queer Up</b>. It’s a book that I desperately wish I’d had when I was younger and needed to feel like I belonged. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Be sure to check out the other wonderful blogs taking part in the tour:</b></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJI0UrQ1vNWZ5Z3qkZhx4_zoHIJoYAu6_PPHGa1KM4811Hq4Voc2Fip3LAyY2HPbcAmtlXoZHccAbDxlQkqsu0v4pREXgpMNt6ggTrW5T5saW52UYOqEwrTbZDgpMi4SEzLnczPagP0YnjPcwYxbWESjuvDVk9eFIEuaCWEMj45_cLLQEoeGMyAEYG=s1080" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJI0UrQ1vNWZ5Z3qkZhx4_zoHIJoYAu6_PPHGa1KM4811Hq4Voc2Fip3LAyY2HPbcAmtlXoZHccAbDxlQkqsu0v4pREXgpMNt6ggTrW5T5saW52UYOqEwrTbZDgpMi4SEzLnczPagP0YnjPcwYxbWESjuvDVk9eFIEuaCWEMj45_cLLQEoeGMyAEYG=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-18893268780698371802021-10-15T14:14:00.004+01:002021-10-15T14:14:36.197+01:00My New Favourite Bookshop: The Opening of Bear Hunt Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxthHZjIPPaQuQIMqAgzK1hS8bG0h2A8CMoS09cQFzqSMBQ37-izoU9on8CkEg42P-flRmKZukGMdQ9AOI_QJUxWYMZftAsvykOI0Md9aqmW0kRJpw4iKBnZrdwJBsThCBCRhnc_elHE/s2048/62309E8D-3A94-4189-A34E-3BC657BB1482.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxthHZjIPPaQuQIMqAgzK1hS8bG0h2A8CMoS09cQFzqSMBQ37-izoU9on8CkEg42P-flRmKZukGMdQ9AOI_QJUxWYMZftAsvykOI0Md9aqmW0kRJpw4iKBnZrdwJBsThCBCRhnc_elHE/w640-h426/62309E8D-3A94-4189-A34E-3BC657BB1482.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There’s nothing I love more than an indie bookshop. My options for browsing them in store are usually pretty limited unless I’m visiting a major city because there just aren’t enough of them around the country. So I was absolutely thrilled to find out <b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiXmPfJvczzAhWklFwKHa7GBf4QFnoECAgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbearhuntbooks.co.uk%2F&usg=AOvVaw0RdCm8NQRF8xISEIJZ-7TS">Bear Hunt Books</a></b> was opening in Bebington, just a twenty-minute walk away from where I live! <div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxeCqjXZES1lkNyxzIJFylqTvx57G_iWcjcOCAHqttltjBsYB8K22EMrI0yjxLZixHUKQycSDfOi8OjjpSPl-bP5JL0uNeudyhOU-iUKnK2bJd0m5IxZ2qtOVSG462TF0pTUSzOTqXWw/s2048/85934508-FBE4-41CE-AC50-4C55B8928845.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxeCqjXZES1lkNyxzIJFylqTvx57G_iWcjcOCAHqttltjBsYB8K22EMrI0yjxLZixHUKQycSDfOi8OjjpSPl-bP5JL0uNeudyhOU-iUKnK2bJd0m5IxZ2qtOVSG462TF0pTUSzOTqXWw/w640-h426/85934508-FBE4-41CE-AC50-4C55B8928845.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Bear Hunt Books is a Children’s and YA bookshop with a fantastic range of diverse books. As someone who has always been passionate about bringing the best reads to young people, this shop is literally perfect for me! I just had to visit on the opening day last week, which happened to fall on National Bookshop Day.
I was blown away by the incredible selection of books available! </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwZf9-EWGP5-0RJoGz4go5TjBtuRvBfb9bJIQxAzfHMOyMHOH-2G_5SP4orPVBVM3UMzMr3t1GDqgh7vvoVIW-xeSND4S76dUXEO76oBCcy5DUIcLlHIiQTrdvIIE0jyf8KYqiffUxq8/s2048/349070E1-D183-469F-82D5-568C7803F689.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwZf9-EWGP5-0RJoGz4go5TjBtuRvBfb9bJIQxAzfHMOyMHOH-2G_5SP4orPVBVM3UMzMr3t1GDqgh7vvoVIW-xeSND4S76dUXEO76oBCcy5DUIcLlHIiQTrdvIIE0jyf8KYqiffUxq8/w640-h426/349070E1-D183-469F-82D5-568C7803F689.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The LGBT shelves are still growing but there’s already so many fantastic stories! I was thrilled to spot some of my faves, like Simon James Green and Alice Oseman books, and was able to discover some exciting new reads as well. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ma1GQTL1hCocYM4zqc8cFxqr7ypam4-54gd4iiVeT_xToMw9SbyBheRsaDDYeorPPrpVQ5ee1IYhpUnOo1uh1unqPBf0O0-q1J0EAPU-KXGvyFwuor9xRYxcEXxljSwfTqvlyS2nwys/s2048/7C7E197F-6CD2-4655-838C-EB185B8717C4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ma1GQTL1hCocYM4zqc8cFxqr7ypam4-54gd4iiVeT_xToMw9SbyBheRsaDDYeorPPrpVQ5ee1IYhpUnOo1uh1unqPBf0O0-q1J0EAPU-KXGvyFwuor9xRYxcEXxljSwfTqvlyS2nwys/w640-h426/7C7E197F-6CD2-4655-838C-EB185B8717C4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwajy6u4Q8ghgLW3dLyJ9zBiTxfCDHe7Sj6QMKGMfx5G26VQ1QxiaUCN-gEwsqxDPPn7Q7F6zkHVuZTlsL9h7cTi9oDWv55e6aQm88KelnVZw6VpRh6GBiyTp9Qjv2BJME2Q6CvavSV8/s2048/524E6A45-4679-4BE0-AEE3-2EC8F90FC0FF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwajy6u4Q8ghgLW3dLyJ9zBiTxfCDHe7Sj6QMKGMfx5G26VQ1QxiaUCN-gEwsqxDPPn7Q7F6zkHVuZTlsL9h7cTi9oDWv55e6aQm88KelnVZw6VpRh6GBiyTp9Qjv2BJME2Q6CvavSV8/w426-h640/524E6A45-4679-4BE0-AEE3-2EC8F90FC0FF.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I’ve been seeking out more graphic novels lately, so I was thrilled that the shop had a shelf dedicated to them. I immediately found one that I knew would be coming home with me. From the YA shelf, I found a book that I’ve had on my TBR list for a while because I’ve seen it in a few Pan Rep recommendation posts, so I’m excited to get started on it! </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgpmMUF0tL315mCN2p_c7DSTaBzN_s0Lroyvn5cqQr8_LOV5OnLAAoj1Jpt-aXg7ohzLD0xrq6WkJOd1kLnbhfSIo5C-Niyn_FXua2DSVQN1vpKL7apYi9nzpzT5dq4BS95tuH4IRIDU/s2048/1F0C8307-90F5-4495-ADD9-D21D5C78208D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgpmMUF0tL315mCN2p_c7DSTaBzN_s0Lroyvn5cqQr8_LOV5OnLAAoj1Jpt-aXg7ohzLD0xrq6WkJOd1kLnbhfSIo5C-Niyn_FXua2DSVQN1vpKL7apYi9nzpzT5dq4BS95tuH4IRIDU/w640-h426/1F0C8307-90F5-4495-ADD9-D21D5C78208D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we all had a giggle when we realised the sign had come to the shop as gothic novels rather than graphic novels, but it suits spooky season perfectly! </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Also visiting the store on opening day was author <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwimma-Vs8zzAhX3QEEAHYqXBBcQFnoECAMQAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsallynicholls.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw2dJEVlHU5ilTnR_vJ20Obf">Sally Nicholls</a>, who’s book <b><a href="http://www.queenofteenfiction.co.uk/2015/04/review-island-of-our-own-by-sally.html">An Island of Our Own</a></b> was one of my favourites in 2015. Sally kindly signed my beloved ARC copy of the book and I was given some amazing swag for <b>Things a Bright Girl Can Do</b>, which I’m so excited to read!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPLZwrQKByrSCdP6dRKb-fCUpE49eK0cGuYZ9rh6yETepat-vxGlg2T6qlq-53W2ii7SeEI23NdFB_4F8l7C9AkwEKLh86sLGIp_-SYi6d1VXN2dBQowffbphf5jJA2o6xKSdcDmFf50/s2048/D013F2CE-E678-42F2-B5EB-CD38DF3FF7A5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPLZwrQKByrSCdP6dRKb-fCUpE49eK0cGuYZ9rh6yETepat-vxGlg2T6qlq-53W2ii7SeEI23NdFB_4F8l7C9AkwEKLh86sLGIp_-SYi6d1VXN2dBQowffbphf5jJA2o6xKSdcDmFf50/w640-h426/D013F2CE-E678-42F2-B5EB-CD38DF3FF7A5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYdKfU8ryqGB-rcdnfodf5H3kBmME4NRJghMfq3KDAe6IuzUNtp3WD5IARRvl1jBzp89_spDZLI7ptWPgqT4g6Lv-5A6FxnHk4qOM4xSuCFGOCzvna_XPdJWKWNWxdcLZQtE7JEJer7g/s2048/01561AAB-B9C7-4A75-93AF-F22C9C58626D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYdKfU8ryqGB-rcdnfodf5H3kBmME4NRJghMfq3KDAe6IuzUNtp3WD5IARRvl1jBzp89_spDZLI7ptWPgqT4g6Lv-5A6FxnHk4qOM4xSuCFGOCzvna_XPdJWKWNWxdcLZQtE7JEJer7g/w640-h426/01561AAB-B9C7-4A75-93AF-F22C9C58626D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>Even though my area of expertise is always the YA market, I was hugely impressed by the wide range of inclusive books for children of all ages. It’s absolutely the type of shop that young people need – I know I would have loved to have a place like this when I was in school. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcFF4sCFxTowQZ0nn1QD-XLuqV_AY2vhJk1JioWlsxuHIe7WGzH7VsMwCsHzfqp25fagEXlABDVxAltloDQkSjw8cmcVZVnOgHAzfZFl-_BU26IiDxybpzblrCx0op_1uH8yx5BUiKeA/s2048/1EACC2A3-01AE-42CD-89E6-E8047ECD2776.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcFF4sCFxTowQZ0nn1QD-XLuqV_AY2vhJk1JioWlsxuHIe7WGzH7VsMwCsHzfqp25fagEXlABDVxAltloDQkSjw8cmcVZVnOgHAzfZFl-_BU26IiDxybpzblrCx0op_1uH8yx5BUiKeA/w640-h426/1EACC2A3-01AE-42CD-89E6-E8047ECD2776.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I’m definitely going to be popping in whenever I can. I have a feeling a lot of my future books are going to come from here! If you’re in the area, you absolutely need to drop in and take a look. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ghIlB0w-I6W6WO-3nglLnfywrK6qKu9qMeyIcDD8PP_3WbZJGvxzkzn75wXS0ug3X6VYOiMOf_2Bx8CZJKznpz8TahrE1qMq58Eqxq3mP_rQW2zw_vVTYEO4L0FAxpsIBJZEtdwEc4w/s2048/BEA40F1F-5D21-41A0-B0D7-A4F7376D3677.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ghIlB0w-I6W6WO-3nglLnfywrK6qKu9qMeyIcDD8PP_3WbZJGvxzkzn75wXS0ug3X6VYOiMOf_2Bx8CZJKznpz8TahrE1qMq58Eqxq3mP_rQW2zw_vVTYEO4L0FAxpsIBJZEtdwEc4w/w640-h426/BEA40F1F-5D21-41A0-B0D7-A4F7376D3677.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the books and graphic novel that came home with me!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBqGmG3b09YtmPf5MZQwFsNdyJK2FLC_GIVlHekSQaYvw1SJows5qjfddhSJ64OEYx3fWIsnxfH2LbnXlGx4CNQM_Sy-Iz1ZnxeXxVAvYzp7Yoaiv3kpN7_p0PpKB85Yt5X_KnjAyjRQ/s2048/0DE464E8-8870-491F-99E6-A04BD9EE2585.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBqGmG3b09YtmPf5MZQwFsNdyJK2FLC_GIVlHekSQaYvw1SJows5qjfddhSJ64OEYx3fWIsnxfH2LbnXlGx4CNQM_Sy-Iz1ZnxeXxVAvYzp7Yoaiv3kpN7_p0PpKB85Yt5X_KnjAyjRQ/w640-h426/0DE464E8-8870-491F-99E6-A04BD9EE2585.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i also got these adorable Heartstopper postcards</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div>Special shoutout to owner Michelle, who was super lovely and welcoming! Thank you for allowing me to photograph your beautiful store.<br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s110/Smal+Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s0/Smal+Sig.png" width="110" /></a></div><div><br /></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-62418618165653824682021-09-12T06:00:00.013+01:002021-09-12T06:00:00.189+01:00BLOG TOUR: Writing in Verse | Baby Teeth by Meg Grehan<div><b>Today I'm honoured to be closing the blog tour for Baby Teeth by Meg Grehan, who is sharing her thoughts about writing in verse!</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXMY9BZETiFTibGHWQDcnyQJtlyiuEXe6f3lEfWNqzOahyuxaWRKAL9OJbPnhFNZzHMhdrmk3obuBvhrxdJcTcmZTpdq1rbzwKvf6FFYuCj6Mca24TzdU2daumu3GN2zxb7Wkp97Ixg0/s161/arrow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="23" data-original-width="161" height="23" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXMY9BZETiFTibGHWQDcnyQJtlyiuEXe6f3lEfWNqzOahyuxaWRKAL9OJbPnhFNZzHMhdrmk3obuBvhrxdJcTcmZTpdq1rbzwKvf6FFYuCj6Mca24TzdU2daumu3GN2zxb7Wkp97Ixg0/s0/arrow.png" width="161" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Hello! My name is Meg Grehan and my new book Baby Teeth has just been released. It’s about a vampire named Immy who has lived countless lives but has never loved as deeply as she does in this life. It’s about love, desire and identity and is written in verse. Thank you so much to Queen of Teen Fiction for sharing my post about writing in verse! <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-M1BhZQQaSlpmJLcdJ74CBQexREXU51ViwPIIkl98aMwLSXq4u_CpVEtY6cMGzT19SzAVIsZ6-YWwmvqO-NFQuPlrt2jUUiV_8BLIjNJOWn8VpSzb_sVwD_UcbU5o2-XjBB0N-o1uMA/s1280/thumbnail_Meg+Grehan+author+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-M1BhZQQaSlpmJLcdJ74CBQexREXU51ViwPIIkl98aMwLSXq4u_CpVEtY6cMGzT19SzAVIsZ6-YWwmvqO-NFQuPlrt2jUUiV_8BLIjNJOWn8VpSzb_sVwD_UcbU5o2-XjBB0N-o1uMA/w400-h300/thumbnail_Meg+Grehan+author+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I’ve always loved writing, as a kid it was my absolute favourite thing to do. I’d sit at the little writing desk my dad built for me and write all day. I wrote a lot about fairies and mermaids as a kid and as a teenager I wrote about love and mysteries. Then I stopped writing. I was busy with college and work and my new life as an adult and I didn’t make time for writing, no matter how much I missed it. Then I discovered verse, and fell head over heels for this new way of writing and expressing myself. When I first decided to try writing in verse I was nervous, what if I just wasn’t good at it? What if I just couldn’t do it? But it all just came naturally to me. Writing in verse may seem daunting, but it’s all about trusting your instincts and writing what feels right to you. I would encourage anyone to give it a try, it’s a very liberating way to write! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ3NgE3wRMqHQuwKQBVWX5MM6asWEjeB__cEINP-keZClz8764FO-B-W0z6eUll8M5_Zpcu2zYmMQ-vEKIYZ91Mbs0A0NKb6Wh_0CUAKlRO73ovgwXUvFDturXXdOJmp4VfUbzflWd6s/s1169/thumbnail_Baby+teeth+-+front+cover+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ3NgE3wRMqHQuwKQBVWX5MM6asWEjeB__cEINP-keZClz8764FO-B-W0z6eUll8M5_Zpcu2zYmMQ-vEKIYZ91Mbs0A0NKb6Wh_0CUAKlRO73ovgwXUvFDturXXdOJmp4VfUbzflWd6s/w424-h640/thumbnail_Baby+teeth+-+front+cover+%25281%2529.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I’m a very visual writer, I love finding images that inspire me and am constantly on pinterest or journaling about my ideas and I think that that’s really helpful when writing verse. You have so few words to work with that it’s important to choose the right ones. I find journaling and finding pictures help me really distill my ideas and narrow down exactly what it is I want to say or express.
I think rhythm and pace are also so important when you’re writing verse so sometimes I find it helpful to think of it as music, to let myself fall into a rhythm and just let the words flow. Writing in verse is all about trusting yourself and just letting the words come as they please. It’s such a fun way to write and using so few words means even what you choose not to say is important! </div><div><br /></div><div>I think anyone who is interested in writing should try writing verse at least once, just to see what it's like, you might love it!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXMY9BZETiFTibGHWQDcnyQJtlyiuEXe6f3lEfWNqzOahyuxaWRKAL9OJbPnhFNZzHMhdrmk3obuBvhrxdJcTcmZTpdq1rbzwKvf6FFYuCj6Mca24TzdU2daumu3GN2zxb7Wkp97Ixg0/s161/arrow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="23" data-original-width="161" height="23" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXMY9BZETiFTibGHWQDcnyQJtlyiuEXe6f3lEfWNqzOahyuxaWRKAL9OJbPnhFNZzHMhdrmk3obuBvhrxdJcTcmZTpdq1rbzwKvf6FFYuCj6Mca24TzdU2daumu3GN2zxb7Wkp97Ixg0/s0/arrow.png" width="161" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Huge thank you to Meg for the fabulous post! be sure to check out the other stops from the tour:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj48qktqxhLLVyUva2CVIH05S9VRXqcA7K-1oU9KYyySM4f6C_0ls0FO2vQyAJAaCaS__agV7CBnnOj72Hk7k5y6iRkwzRNNJCDKzwZRMGFtEGejmDLDbCoBwQ2HQLtURjwcMqMANKyU/s1280/thumbnail_Baby+Teeth+Blog+Tour+Twitter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj48qktqxhLLVyUva2CVIH05S9VRXqcA7K-1oU9KYyySM4f6C_0ls0FO2vQyAJAaCaS__agV7CBnnOj72Hk7k5y6iRkwzRNNJCDKzwZRMGFtEGejmDLDbCoBwQ2HQLtURjwcMqMANKyU/w640-h360/thumbnail_Baby+Teeth+Blog+Tour+Twitter.png" width="640" /></a></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-37107681695367757722021-07-26T17:41:00.000+01:002021-07-26T17:41:51.966+01:00What Carry On Means To Me<div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1Qpr07f1cbymgbrtVNx2mX6bwgVLwjTmzLCvseOmzE6FVtoKFQr-a5aUqm8HjtOxVCJU0iM9J6dkFvZ25p5I62IlSrGV_ipLtbIC8xBF6GcFkkcrnZZ7b5102GO9CZvHvd7b7Ht-ZKk/s2048/CDAAE689-3A7E-41F3-B58F-F2CD7F814E88.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1Qpr07f1cbymgbrtVNx2mX6bwgVLwjTmzLCvseOmzE6FVtoKFQr-a5aUqm8HjtOxVCJU0iM9J6dkFvZ25p5I62IlSrGV_ipLtbIC8xBF6GcFkkcrnZZ7b5102GO9CZvHvd7b7Ht-ZKk/w640-h480/CDAAE689-3A7E-41F3-B58F-F2CD7F814E88.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>It’s no secret that I absolutely adore <b>Carry On</b> by Rainbow Rowell. Usually, I don’t choose favourites because I love far too many books to even narrow it down to a list of ten, but I do know that <b>Carry On is one of the books that has had the biggest impact on my reading</b>, and whenever someone does ask me for my favourite book, it’s this one that always comes to mind. With <b>Any Way the Wind Blows</b> bringing the conclusion to Simon and Baz’s story, I wanted to take a moment to talk about why I love this story so much. <div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6i8epoBnlUJ_iVvJY0LV7CxFIyfrNQmHvqLRt997EZ00Fch23CMYuU__jja_PStDmSpEE7AAwt7-ayVj8Z-j8vZyAnPlwwVubOquKltkncDvCvMbrMqivABb-g8Uy_VzwJmUemmpNCk/s2048/19AF63A7-ACB0-4B14-B029-0164351BD40C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6i8epoBnlUJ_iVvJY0LV7CxFIyfrNQmHvqLRt997EZ00Fch23CMYuU__jja_PStDmSpEE7AAwt7-ayVj8Z-j8vZyAnPlwwVubOquKltkncDvCvMbrMqivABb-g8Uy_VzwJmUemmpNCk/w640-h640/19AF63A7-ACB0-4B14-B029-0164351BD40C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Carry On shelf so far (i have more editions i want to add and i won't rest until i get them)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>I’ve been a fan of Rainbow ever since I read the blurb for <b>Fangirl </b>because I just knew that Cath was going to speak to me on a spiritual level, and I was absolutely correct. Fangirl resonated with me in a way no other YA contemporary has done before. As a socially anxious, fandom loving, fic consuming, classic 2012 Tumblr Girl<b style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">™</b>, Fangirl spoke to my soul. <b>It was also the first time I’d ever seen my own anxiety accurately represented on a page</b>. Previous books I’d read that dealt with anxiety just didn’t feel like what I was personally going through, but Fangirl did, and that has always been so important to me. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0U8pOt5wKfjyBvHHSgL3LcVFjufBPwJyUU6xqBQXlsFLqllZIuu5DnOCPfi66iyB-dw9lotJVy0tVO2-ygkxXyzhyphenhyphenudhkPPwRhhXc0t0VaXuWqAPsNPM3u80AL8ka1_8zS51yApGzY/s750/0C69D068-CC0B-4B8A-939C-C56AEBF82B34.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="the Carry On theme bookmark i painted!" border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="750" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0U8pOt5wKfjyBvHHSgL3LcVFjufBPwJyUU6xqBQXlsFLqllZIuu5DnOCPfi66iyB-dw9lotJVy0tVO2-ygkxXyzhyphenhyphenudhkPPwRhhXc0t0VaXuWqAPsNPM3u80AL8ka1_8zS51yApGzY/w640-h424/0C69D068-CC0B-4B8A-939C-C56AEBF82B34.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Carry On themed bookmark i painted!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Even though I adored Fangirl with my whole heart, I didn’t expect to utterly fall in love with Carry On as much as I did when it dropped through my letterbox in October 2015. I was excited, of course, but <b>I had no idea that this book was about to become 90% of my personality</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed the first part of the book, but when Baz dramatically walked through the Watford doors and we discovered that he’d been in love with his roommate and nemesis for years, that was when I realised just how much I needed a book like this. <b>It dragged me in like no other book had done before</b>. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRJ2zPLrWzPJGiOidQbCIMROm8uieiqvFAV0I5h1KEkTQb8i6P7GKOg2OLkO7Wnp6EaHCEo1Scfg7ao3UXGeXXOmnBug2F9U7T29-Ags-j7ifrsE2CGYXnGE3d-5jujzubIa_7m8t-sE/s1024/86D53EC9-DAE7-4C84-B9D8-144AF94C4485.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="746" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRJ2zPLrWzPJGiOidQbCIMROm8uieiqvFAV0I5h1KEkTQb8i6P7GKOg2OLkO7Wnp6EaHCEo1Scfg7ao3UXGeXXOmnBug2F9U7T29-Ags-j7ifrsE2CGYXnGE3d-5jujzubIa_7m8t-sE/w466-h640/86D53EC9-DAE7-4C84-B9D8-144AF94C4485.jpeg" width="466" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Watford shirt and the poster that still provides the background to my booktube videos </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>After reading Carry On, I realised why I’d been in a reading slump for a while. I was tired of the same stories and the same tropes told the same way. YA fantasy was overrun with heterosexual heroes having to save the world whilst torn between two heterosexual love interests, and Carry On showed me just how much I needed to break away from those stories. I wanted characters of all identities, <b>I wanted characters who question their ‘chosen one’ status</b>, and stories that challenge happily ever after. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>I specifically went searching for fantasy stories with queer characters</b> because Carry On made me realise just how much I needed them. The online fan community gave me recommendations based on Carry On, and that led me to discover a lot of the series I now adore. I ended up delving into Six of Crows and completely fell in love with it. A year later, <b>I was able to see Rainbow and Leigh on tour together</b>, which is one of the happiest book-related memories I have! </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_x4EkKN1P6fFIXbD36XfRKhGpw2xWm6TgbpR58ZNVShW4acAJtD_GwIR_vaDsYirs3vkJsGR7fBdRNH_S0PukLpwGrdBBt0d8Z3YbM7BLbuEO1EMplIglH8OHjt8TG2YaBCmnppOilA/s2048/EEEDCF93-0F33-407E-85B9-288E6B295B70.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_x4EkKN1P6fFIXbD36XfRKhGpw2xWm6TgbpR58ZNVShW4acAJtD_GwIR_vaDsYirs3vkJsGR7fBdRNH_S0PukLpwGrdBBt0d8Z3YbM7BLbuEO1EMplIglH8OHjt8TG2YaBCmnppOilA/w640-h480/EEEDCF93-0F33-407E-85B9-288E6B295B70.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Worlds Collide tour in 2016!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>When it came to compiling a list of the books that I felt had <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj06KS3h8hk&t=31s">defined the decade</a> the most for me at the end of 2019, I placed Carry On in the top spot. Despite all of the amazing and eye-opening stories I’ve read throughout the years, <b>I know that this book is the one that changed my tastes and shaped my reading future the most</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’m so utterly grateful to Rainbow for sharing these stories with us, and for making me question what I want to be looking for in the books that I read. <b>Simon and Baz will always have such a special place in my heart</b>.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s110/Smal+Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s0/Smal+Sig.png" /></a></div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-1680829828612267942021-07-23T13:02:00.001+01:002021-07-23T13:02:44.772+01:00Painting a Carry On Jacket <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGX-0YYjRfD825kGID7TmO1yqbz-cni4C-9XmJG84IoKZN1hoAGac98SG1q_mUFQDH5_hOr-803Au4yD59nl92ZPz9BQX1hErtEvDh5tharYH5duwIq5biLqYskvLY0nlSLqemCo9Dt4/s2048/0A905607-5E33-40AD-B912-6C09E0D82B1C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGX-0YYjRfD825kGID7TmO1yqbz-cni4C-9XmJG84IoKZN1hoAGac98SG1q_mUFQDH5_hOr-803Au4yD59nl92ZPz9BQX1hErtEvDh5tharYH5duwIq5biLqYskvLY0nlSLqemCo9Dt4/w640-h426/0A905607-5E33-40AD-B912-6C09E0D82B1C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>
Can you believe we have finally reached the end of the Simon Snow trilogy? I’M EMOTIONAL. <b>Carry On</b> is easily one of my favourite stories of all time, something I’ve been shouting about from the rooftops since I first read the book in 2015. <b>My love for Simon and Baz knows no boundaries</b>. With the trilogy coming to an end this summer, I wanted to do something special. So I decided to paint my own <b>Carry On themed jacket!</b> <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBQtAzMhcJn1kumDo6XQYqTjGS0p1MZvU4s_Y6mbXqxaMzThFJeEXISNty1zD7-t2FQDVrRUM4Ld3-mPEHir-_-79JcWvgDeP6SLExRyKuBcKJsxA-OiejUJvijmSyxMu75w53vMi_1w/s2048/19AF63A7-ACB0-4B14-B029-0164351BD40C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBQtAzMhcJn1kumDo6XQYqTjGS0p1MZvU4s_Y6mbXqxaMzThFJeEXISNty1zD7-t2FQDVrRUM4Ld3-mPEHir-_-79JcWvgDeP6SLExRyKuBcKJsxA-OiejUJvijmSyxMu75w53vMi_1w/w640-h640/19AF63A7-ACB0-4B14-B029-0164351BD40C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>During our first lockdown in 2020, <b>I delved into the world of fabric painting</b>. It was something I’d always wanted to try, so I picked up a cheap paint set and got to work on a few denim jackets I had lying around. I spent a year practicing by painting various KPOP logos that were simple enough for me to sketch out on the fabric. </div><div><br /></div><div>As some of you may already know, I lost my wonderful Dad to cancer right before Christmas, and it turned my world upside down. I lost my motivation for the things I loved for a while. But art was always a passion we shared, and he was constantly cheering me on. So I became determined to improve because I knew <b>he wouldn’t want me to abandon my love for art</b>. That was when I decided I wanted to try something more challenging in my fabric painting, and <b>the idea for a Carry On jacket was hatched</b>! </div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to go with <b>Kevin Wada’s gorgeous cover art</b> for the first book because I’ve always been completely in love with it. But I’d never attempted a project so complicated before, and I was so convinced it was going to go horribly wrong that I decided to work on a very worn denim jacket of mine, just in case I wanted to scrap the whole thing. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5EzCIhdzCP5H7zH5eQH7DKy70b0YPX-JlnM4odnaoxHsZjtkP4inD1z8_MOf_fSQqDGI_qOrsTKQq30sAxCFyVd0QsyHpWAINPLKy0YEOZknstCaQZS_OHMzgbNlt-sC16apY5RaDJw/s2048/09F140A8-D18C-470A-956D-87C2EDA0EE94.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5EzCIhdzCP5H7zH5eQH7DKy70b0YPX-JlnM4odnaoxHsZjtkP4inD1z8_MOf_fSQqDGI_qOrsTKQq30sAxCFyVd0QsyHpWAINPLKy0YEOZknstCaQZS_OHMzgbNlt-sC16apY5RaDJw/w480-h640/09F140A8-D18C-470A-956D-87C2EDA0EE94.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Getting the sizing right was difficult since I’d only worked on smaller pieces before, so I printed out the refence picture to the size I wanted it on the jacket in order to mark out how tall Simon and Baz would need to be. Originally, I didn’t plan on including the dragon in the background because I had zero confidence in myself, but once I had Simon and Baz in place, I was able to pop the dragon behind them as well. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFw4q6shfhmIr4S9fMIHlGcL2h16SD-KeZTWwBQfP3RBjNmf3_TKNOVblidOu_ol6ek-PNj3DTBVsU3NQV5p7HIXjFIgr-TYBmIxSEcgjcOd5AfmRF26n8YK6xpgb4-4lBGWznoM49PEM/s2048/05CFC1BB-AA5B-4C4C-A80B-9ED88B4BD675.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFw4q6shfhmIr4S9fMIHlGcL2h16SD-KeZTWwBQfP3RBjNmf3_TKNOVblidOu_ol6ek-PNj3DTBVsU3NQV5p7HIXjFIgr-TYBmIxSEcgjcOd5AfmRF26n8YK6xpgb4-4lBGWznoM49PEM/w480-h640/05CFC1BB-AA5B-4C4C-A80B-9ED88B4BD675.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The smarter thing to do would have been to paint in the background first, but for some reason I started painting Simon and Baz, which <b>I 100% regretted when I realised I had to paint a dragon</b> and a dark sky neatly behind them. I’m notoriously bad at staying within lines, so there was a lot of going back to remix the colours of the boys’ clothes in order to neaten things up. It was a long and messy process. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Zp8OWl4ekEyThyphenhyphenY9zl_kI7gjQ-apCtINsxCXqoKTmNLuvZIGcf3pt5yKbKiQUUlV7wV1kXSlKM6J-Tso4OV2LGR2Sba1NJqq3Zu1mllOrJSxqlcjRkLQG_gR0nHZc5gI1_6q1SQYPUM/s2048/98825B7E-D849-421D-BD72-23C3D178721E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Zp8OWl4ekEyThyphenhyphenY9zl_kI7gjQ-apCtINsxCXqoKTmNLuvZIGcf3pt5yKbKiQUUlV7wV1kXSlKM6J-Tso4OV2LGR2Sba1NJqq3Zu1mllOrJSxqlcjRkLQG_gR0nHZc5gI1_6q1SQYPUM/w480-h640/98825B7E-D849-421D-BD72-23C3D178721E.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Over the course of five days, I was able to get everything fully painted, and used a fabric market to neaten up some of the harsh edges. All that was left to add was <b>their faces and the stars</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzdGCUxeXZytOMo6aypY11dzE6Ui-qdZQwAFTTsMyGsJIghMflmYnNpTM88lT4nYQxdMr4PFflswdF0JZobf4aJ0JXN1dz9wf2q-TurOQ42Z5srkrr4oEt4sSqBr9shtPmGyAPg1thCQ/s1280/68AA57FB-34F1-4756-8929-084DE5A7B1B1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzdGCUxeXZytOMo6aypY11dzE6Ui-qdZQwAFTTsMyGsJIghMflmYnNpTM88lT4nYQxdMr4PFflswdF0JZobf4aJ0JXN1dz9wf2q-TurOQ42Z5srkrr4oEt4sSqBr9shtPmGyAPg1thCQ/w480-h640/68AA57FB-34F1-4756-8929-084DE5A7B1B1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I’m so happy with how the jacket has turned out and I love that I have something to wear that shows how much I adore this series. I’ve been wearing it out on my trips to bookshops since they reopened! It might have caused several emotional breakdowns, during which I ended up dropping some paint all over the floor, but <b>I’m proud to be able to promote Simon and Baz out in the world</b>.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uZy08bisMVPMSMUZuzOr2r_SrVBWeLFMHm57hyphenhyphenM19oKwzFGKo2YWhUD_D1U3kfId6aAc-YYRkPpxo5UoRSxTiHc1A9NyRq7HTLGCWEMucJW9KjxejUgFSrnqCHcVQHB0_TSYOu87YBU/s2048/74321769-49A2-4A0D-8D4E-35E65A63CDF3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uZy08bisMVPMSMUZuzOr2r_SrVBWeLFMHm57hyphenhyphenM19oKwzFGKo2YWhUD_D1U3kfId6aAc-YYRkPpxo5UoRSxTiHc1A9NyRq7HTLGCWEMucJW9KjxejUgFSrnqCHcVQHB0_TSYOu87YBU/w480-h640/74321769-49A2-4A0D-8D4E-35E65A63CDF3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To anyone who wants to give fabric painting a try: go for it! There are plenty of affordable paint options you can find online to get started with. If you're intimidated by what to paint, or feel like you're no good at sketching, you can always print out some shapes or something you like, cut around it and use it as a template!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s110/Smal+Sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s0/Smal+Sig.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-1804803618729111062021-06-25T14:54:00.003+01:002021-06-25T14:54:39.413+01:00REVIEW: You're The One That I Want by Simon James Green<div class="MsoNormal">
<b></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjZsWAayllSP8DIpWbxO3O16xx00YKgoEC0iHmhhrM1mVarmGjmYkMjuTXPS3L0jRh-dUQseCfR9MJOoIEmf2Vi1T83sQk09qG-GtA0viC1bciwszI1nl6x3QZBJ2dDEnabYDOqEvTjY/s475/56250281._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjZsWAayllSP8DIpWbxO3O16xx00YKgoEC0iHmhhrM1mVarmGjmYkMjuTXPS3L0jRh-dUQseCfR9MJOoIEmf2Vi1T83sQk09qG-GtA0viC1bciwszI1nl6x3QZBJ2dDEnabYDOqEvTjY/s320/56250281._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div><b>Pages:</b> 416<br />
<b>Format:</b> Paperback<br />
<div>
<b>Publisher: </b>Scholastic<br />
<b>Genre: </b> Contemporary<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>June 3rd 2021<br />
<div>
<b>Buy the Book: </b><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/search/Youre-the-One-that-I-Want-Simon-James-Green/9780702303654" target="_blank">Book Depository</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="freeText3468471075631548732"></span></div>
<blockquote><span id="freeText4243207963809668210" style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Freddie has a reputation as a ‘nice guy’ – inoffensive, sweet, kind – and therefore completely un-dateable.
<br /><br />
As he starts sixth form, Freddie decides that this nice guy isn’t going to finish last any more. No more missing out on parties because he’s got to do his homework. No more saying no when he really wants to say yes. And most of all no more lusting after unobtainable straight boys who enjoy the attention but ultimately break his heart.
<br /><br />
Freddie embarks on a series of changes designed to transform his social and romantic life, and suddenly he’s a drama darling, getting invited to all the popular kids’ parties, and hot new boy Zach is showing an interest. Life couldn’t be better!
<br /><br />
But the path to love is never smooth – and Freddie’s about to learn that changing everything about yourself isn’t necessarily a foolproof way of finding the right person… </span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="316" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/w200-h79/The+Plot.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy0KhXYKugHvZ6ZoJmmTFZ93CjUHb4LvseEk32H7f39n-LA4z2YHcFAxPT9wc2i_7uPMm3f2PoLfBNnO0hV_WlKT2heQE8lD10F7tk4PN5S95MKhNEba4i1YnePS4BSR60BBVfDrhIps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div><br /></div><div>
SAY HELLO TO MY NEW FAVOURITE OF 2021. It’s no secret that <b>I absolutely adore any book written by Simon James Green</b>, so I expected to love <b>You’re the One That I Want </b>before I delved in, but it still managed to go above and beyond. <b>It’s exactly the wholesome read I needed this Pride Month</b>.
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story focuses on teenager Freddie, the son of the producer for Cherries, a coming-age-show that deals with adolescent sexuality in all it’s awkwardness. After <b>an unsavoury encounter with the actor playing the lead role</b>, Freddie reaches the end of his tether. In a bid to stop being so invisible to everyone around him, he auditions for the school production of <b>Grease</b>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Qu-3Uw1V7eY_HY4_NW9Ei4rHOsp8om9buL9Etq_tqq9X9VkJx7C-iDtSYdnzoqIhn0jQmgpF_oXaVtjli7l1fShJngixb_skG_9vsiT5j7fmO76TeQuLTMfvNRligARS9rm_feXo5M/s2048/DC629BCA-FAC2-401A-A580-510E94023D8A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Qu-3Uw1V7eY_HY4_NW9Ei4rHOsp8om9buL9Etq_tqq9X9VkJx7C-iDtSYdnzoqIhn0jQmgpF_oXaVtjli7l1fShJngixb_skG_9vsiT5j7fmO76TeQuLTMfvNRligARS9rm_feXo5M/w640-h480/DC629BCA-FAC2-401A-A580-510E94023D8A.jpeg" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="531" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiMTkCsAlDkwfUsTYfI3ZUcK-MWXSgD5tHgpqUembaWVp4bxDON75VVCvRSYXU3XFzKpN0OpXvWEsgFnTQutZyaMH-92ptdWAaUbYAKXxeFmMPDoYI029Sr0Hn6EzerAeb1Xg-29HSis/w320-h75/The+Characters.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b>
Freddie, light of my life, owner of my heart</b>. Bless his awkward, adorable soul. He’s such an entertaining and relatable protagonist, and <b>the YA world needs more chaotic teenage boys like him</b>. As well as being effortlessly funny, Freddie’s story also deals with genuine insecurities that young people find themselves increasingly feeling.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zach and Jasper are both exciting in their separate ways and I loved getting to know each of them. I especially loved <b>Freddie’s resentment towards Japser </b>because it made for plenty of awkwardly hilarious moments between the two of them.</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArJ03U-T87M0jdiGiPheciwin1piWh5RpZX_l2iYYelCpMmsRG2PR6CW92Do3ydycNhehccHd2A0tW8GsllLifpionrJgBD6Q6VsmyrJLQOL3VfrPnZtMX4vDQOYlWxFlZl80oYisGCs/s2048/B727987B-BB01-4C52-913F-C48ADFE3FFF0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArJ03U-T87M0jdiGiPheciwin1piWh5RpZX_l2iYYelCpMmsRG2PR6CW92Do3ydycNhehccHd2A0tW8GsllLifpionrJgBD6Q6VsmyrJLQOL3VfrPnZtMX4vDQOYlWxFlZl80oYisGCs/w640-h480/B727987B-BB01-4C52-913F-C48ADFE3FFF0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYLlKXopOUWLlrq7wbUeE9vZdkBZJADg2lrgEMlDX20wfurUMMJeMllyWETSN2bjulPRTlvKXPRR2NRr-k2ymBbOQoahOWuhR-e4AYPuGYc58fYeviqiUcF1tLn0eJY-knnYOLVTnX_8/s320/Reasons+To+Love.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>MUSICAL THEATRE. </b>As a musical theatre nerd, I was all about the production of Grease in this story. I was also living for the drama amongst the school theatre kids. I was far too anxious to be part of that world in my own high school, so at least I get to live it vicariously through YA. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>T R O P E S. </b>I love books that revolve around theatre. I also love books that revolve around the production of a show/film. I ALSO love books that have characters who ‘seemingly’ hate each other. So basically, this book ticks all the boxes and I’m absolutely in love with it. </li></ul></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>ADDICTIVE READING. </b>Literally did not want to put this down. As someone who is a diagnosed insomniac, I’m supposed to stick to a very strict bedtime routine. Needless to say, I broke that routine to continue reading this book into the small hours. Did I regret it in the morning? Yes. Was it worth it though? Absolutely yes.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>CHARACTERS TO DIE FOR. </b>Listen, I will gladly protect Freddie with my LIFE. I also really adored his little friendship group. Nothing has ever made me want to go back to school as much as this book. Which is saying a LOT.</li></ul><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="613" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FMpYSy2UKjr07yrg3fO_D1Ep9isKxendmtf2FJf6o-u3I3jzzsJEg8AtF10Ktm4iAFLMX2XZZs6QEiAYjFhT46MgMtjSZ3yKJzk2dU5wFCxUOC3aSAJ0-oLeDg9ht_RQ3aOiO-Mm7Ts/w320-h80/final.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This was easily one of my most anticipated books of the year, and <b>it delivered in every way possible</b>. It’s the perfect, cheerful pick-me-up that we all need after the stressful start to the year we’ve had. It’s been a rough few months for me personally, so I’m always grateful to authors like Simon who never fail to distract me with wonderful stories. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Royal Rating:</b></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNdwYHkLt1x5asivRDI108EkERBVWcuHkxVVyIyeIWCz4J-ak7ppKjBWjdiUm4ngsRIkYoG2cK8ntW3yOqAN6xJTCu8FeqwzsF408i6uS86k-rngaEaTApaoHTGOe_AaX-mAcASB3kig/s534/5+Crowns.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNdwYHkLt1x5asivRDI108EkERBVWcuHkxVVyIyeIWCz4J-ak7ppKjBWjdiUm4ngsRIkYoG2cK8ntW3yOqAN6xJTCu8FeqwzsF408i6uS86k-rngaEaTApaoHTGOe_AaX-mAcASB3kig/s320/5+Crowns.png" width="320" /></a></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-613160051759552364.post-65689955186963560712021-06-01T17:45:00.005+01:002021-06-01T18:30:51.902+01:00HOW BOOKS TAUGHT ME MORE ABOUT SEXUALITY THAN SCHOOL EVER DID<b>Happy Pride Month! </b>🏳️🌈<b> </b>I usually kick off June with a list of queer book recs, but this year I thought I’d start with something I don’t usually discuss on my blog: <b>my own journey with discovering sexuality</b>. <div><br /></div><div>My high school years were between 2003 and 2008, and info about sexuality was few and far between in classes. <b>Our sex education was the most dated, ridiculous hour of our lives</b>, in which boys were separated from girls and we were taught how to put a condom onto a banana. Nothing about same-gender sex, nothing about female pleasure. Just a general <i>sex makes babies so use contraception until you want babies</i>.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JGNOHfER27Z24Xhnj1haAXKptPyP3vP-aDACspsveGFgrA21KgHIt6E_P-eHrIfKo_4596PXVGWyIABiuh6BYDJVCPkFoyjq24VWIy3d_HsE3T4GplINdL1BHx-IAi_rA_vSt91Y6DA/s500/I58fHgc.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="500" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JGNOHfER27Z24Xhnj1haAXKptPyP3vP-aDACspsveGFgrA21KgHIt6E_P-eHrIfKo_4596PXVGWyIABiuh6BYDJVCPkFoyjq24VWIy3d_HsE3T4GplINdL1BHx-IAi_rA_vSt91Y6DA/w400-h159/I58fHgc.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>There was no opening for a discussion about sexuality whatsoever</b>. The literature we read was heterosexual, and characters & historical figures I now know to be queer or queer-coded were just assumed heterosexual by us students because we were never told any different. Our history classes were overwhelmingly straight, which I now know is complete bullshit. Because I relearned all of this stuff myself, outside of my school years. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Most of that education is down to books. </b></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqm_uPxPMsk5_weA9ijait4wLXzRMY_Mp7yyAXDl86-PL1lFfUSYugRXj9GnSAH4tsMnLxz1w8v2ixH0_Vp2bkHNSBx326pjgFM6zva2v_uOcNV9ULPfUsySprD_XoD51YTnw6a59vtU/s2048/366C5474-F433-48CE-96B7-CA4257A7ACF9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqm_uPxPMsk5_weA9ijait4wLXzRMY_Mp7yyAXDl86-PL1lFfUSYugRXj9GnSAH4tsMnLxz1w8v2ixH0_Vp2bkHNSBx326pjgFM6zva2v_uOcNV9ULPfUsySprD_XoD51YTnw6a59vtU/w640-h426/366C5474-F433-48CE-96B7-CA4257A7ACF9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of my Pride Shelf</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The first time I read a gay character was when I picked up Jaqueline Wilson’s <b>Kiss</b> from my local bookstore. It was structured to come across as a love story between a teen boy and girl who had been best friends since they were little. It eventually becomes clear that the boy is gay and doesn’t love his friend in the way she wants him to. I’d been exposed to gay characters on TV by this point, but they always played up to stereotypes and weren’t written accurately. <b>This was the first time that I was experiencing a gay character who was just a regular teenager</b>, and that was such an important part of this story to me, to see that gay teenagers exist all the time. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLptP_-LtCTH1rBV2rmsmztVQ4Rsms6NN0vhXi7q4iuS3Ml49HCvMfHZ4NQNbxLgxOleYdF5PXRllZ0tZzxHRIY6BJW1DOOUDLPuqLKxb5UcdwqKkZ70TwE5pF8t7gTpfge1GpvDrc6w/s2048/B604CDC9-C8DD-4399-A3F4-F1F290C22864.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLptP_-LtCTH1rBV2rmsmztVQ4Rsms6NN0vhXi7q4iuS3Ml49HCvMfHZ4NQNbxLgxOleYdF5PXRllZ0tZzxHRIY6BJW1DOOUDLPuqLKxb5UcdwqKkZ70TwE5pF8t7gTpfge1GpvDrc6w/w640-h480/B604CDC9-C8DD-4399-A3F4-F1F290C22864.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A week later I came across a book in my school’s library. I don’t remember the name of it, but I do know it was in a section that required parental permission to read, despite it being a YA book. The main character was a lesbian, and it was strange to read it because <b>lesbians felt like mythical beings to me at that point</b>. No one I personally knew was a lesbian (spoiler, they totally were, I just didn’t know yet), and the word ‘lesbian’ was only thrown around as an insult. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The more YA books I delved into, the more labels and terms I discovered</b>. In turn, I discovered more about sexuality and myself than ever before. I learned that I didn’t have to limit myself to one label because grey areas exist. A person could be bisexual <b>and</b> demisexual, someone could be pansexual <b>and </b>aromantic. If you preferred to just label yourself queer as an umbrella term, that was fine too. <b>The rules weren’t as rigid as I always thought they were</b>, and that made me feel so much better about myself because I was (and still am) someone who was very confused about sexuality. Reading about pansexuality in the book community helped me to find a term that felt like me. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8nNAtvnw4AJ6lgbLhkQWn9AZL8wS8ePf79dLQ6NBqQCVTkKrxYEmvx3EzWKWgm86Fi8S0TIzF2Tw8V_owx5R3DbUhS9dLS-uLxVdXnDe9GfcND3UR3WxoP1x8wfMbI6bgHg6zqQTO_k/s1338/9AAD3867-3618-40EF-8EC2-97E580C4D5CD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1338" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8nNAtvnw4AJ6lgbLhkQWn9AZL8wS8ePf79dLQ6NBqQCVTkKrxYEmvx3EzWKWgm86Fi8S0TIzF2Tw8V_owx5R3DbUhS9dLS-uLxVdXnDe9GfcND3UR3WxoP1x8wfMbI6bgHg6zqQTO_k/w640-h480/9AAD3867-3618-40EF-8EC2-97E580C4D5CD.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out in one of my favourite bookstores after Pride</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I’ve never been in an actual relationship. Over the past few years, I’ve come to realise that I don’t particularly want to be. Authors like <b>Alice Oseman</b> have helped provide characters and labels that describe feelings I’ve been experiencing all these years. Reading an aromantic character in <b>Loveless </b>was like looking into a mirror. It made so much sense to me and I finally felt understood. I haven’t officially labelled myself as aromantic because I honestly don’t know if my feelings will change in the future, but that’s okay. I’ve made peace with it for now. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I absorbed information from the wonderful YA authors who casually weaved sexuality into their books, and the online book community who openly discussed the content of these books. <b>The YA community has always been one of the most diverse and welcoming online spaces I’ve been in</b>, and I’ll be forever grateful. It shouldn’t be the responsibility of writers to teach young people about sexuality, but I’m so thankful that they do it regardless because until schools start providing teenagers with the information they deserve, at least <b>authors are representing those who desperately need to see themselves in stories</b>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s110/Smal+Sig.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRumNf14ctC35N01j09_kWbPezFoWP0p61BO4p9qO1k37PVhXvbXOak5gJjok1YXuyg1Ufha1k3HWsF6zUM2Z1za18igBesQ0FC8X6GnF1H51SU1BMLg4S0xThX1HgtD-6-HJxHDJEUNs/s0/Smal+Sig.png" /></a></div><p></p></div>KatieBookQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18229392158124630427noreply@blogger.com0